Causes of E.coli infection

As mentioned before, E.coli is commonly found in the intestines and colons of both animals and human beings. Except for a few particularly virulent strains of E.coli, most of them remain non-pathogenic and as such do not produce any kind of disease. But once Escherichia coli spreads beyond the confines of the intestines to other parts of the body, they turn virulent and go on to cause various diseases. For instance, if E.coli happen to invade the blood stream, the disorder sepsis will be the outcome and if it strays into the urinary tract, they will cause kidney or bladder infections. There are certain other strains of E. coli like EEC that produce intestinal inflammation as also toxins that can cause diarrhea while remaining within the intestines.

However, in order to get away from the intestines, Escherichia coli takes advantage of perforations on the intestinal walls. A ruptured appendix, ulcer or even a surgical error can offer such perforations through which E.coli get into the abdomen, duly causing peritonitis, a disease that can turn fatal if immediate treatment is not available.