Are all E. coli equal?
No. Although E. coli inhabit the intestinal tract as beneficial microorganisms, there also are strains of E. coli that are known to produce toxins. Four such strains have been identified. The National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), particularly warns of the dangers posed by the rare strain E. coli O157:H7, a pathogenic strain isolated from manure from cattle, sheep, pigs, deer and poultry. This strain can cause severe diarrhea and kidney damage and sometimes death. Young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable. It is this particular strain that has been highly publicized.
