Types of E.coli

E.coli commonly inhabit human and animal intestines. Normally, most E.coli occupy the colon and intestines where they remain non-pathogenic and hence do not cause any disease. But once they stray away from the intestines they can turn virulent and cause disease. However, there are some strains of E.coli termed EEC or enterovirulent E. coli that produce intestinal inflammation or toxins even while remaining in the intestines. These Escherichia coli strains belong to around 6 groups. They are:

-    enterohemorrhagic E. coli EHEC
-    enterotoxigenic E. coli ETEC
-    enteropathogenic E. coli EPEC
-    enteroinvasive E. coli EIEC
-    enteroadherent E. coli EAEC
-    enteroaggregative E. coli EAggEC

However, there is one strain of E.coli strain termed E. coli 0157:H7 that is infamous for its tendency to develop diseases in human beings.