Do you know how Escherichia coli is transmitted? If the answer to this question is unknown to you, then we will present it in the materials of this article. Also, it will consider the features of the mentioned bacteria, the diseases that it causes, and their main symptoms.
basic information
Before telling you how Escherichia coli is transmitted, you should tell you what this bacteria is.
Escherichia coli is a type of gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that is widely distributed in the lower intestine of humans and warm-blooded animals.
Most strains of this microorganism are harmless. However, in some cases, the bacterium in question can cause severe food poisoning.
Harmless strains of E. coli are part of the normal intestinal microflora. Such a bacterium is of great benefit to the host. At the same time, it synthesizes vitamin K and prevents the development of various pathogenic microorganisms in the intestine.
Bacteria features
E. coli is transmitted from person to person. This is an indisputable fact. It should be noted that this bacterium can live not only in the digestive tract. According to experts, she is able to survive for some time in the environment. In addition, bacteria of this type can be easily grown even in laboratory conditions. In this regard, Escherichia coli plays a huge role in various genetic studies.
Scientists claim that the microorganism in question is one of the most studied and important objects in microbiology and biotechnology.
About what constitutes, and how E. coli is transmitted, was described back in 1885 by the German bacteriologist and pediatrician Theodor Escherich. Today, this bacterium belongs to the genus Escherichia and the family of enterobacteria.
Microorganism
Few people know, but E. coli is transmitted from person to person. Where does this bacterium come from? Escherichia is the main aerobic flora of the human intestine. It has the appearance of a straight stick with rounded ends. Under the microscope on the taken smears, the localization of single individuals or located in pairs is well visualized.
The optimal temperature for the development of this microorganism is the following value: 37 degrees. After fermentation of enzymes, this bacterium decomposes carbohydrates into acid and gas.
E. coli grows well on simple nutrient media. With its pathological development, it can cause a person many different diseases, which are often called Escherichiosis.
In some people, the very fact of the presence of the bacterium in question in the body is alarming. It is these patients who are interested in whether E. coli is transmitted sexually. Experts argue that the presence of such a microorganism in the intestine is not pathological. After all, he takes part in the fight against various pathogenic bacteria that somehow enter the digestive tract, and also contributes to better metabolic digestive processes and the development of human immunity.
Breeding sticks
Is E. coli transmitted through a kiss? Such contact very rarely contributes to the infection of a healthy person.
How does the bacterium in question multiply? Microbial populations in the human body have the ability to self-regulate, which ensures their ecological balance. Moreover, any adverse effects can cause a microflora reaction, as a result of which not only its quantity, but also the quality changes. This contributes to the imbalance in the human body. As a result of such reactions, the bacterial enzyme system is able to clone similar, but more aggressive strains of the bacillus, which, in fact, cause various infectious pathologies called Escherichiosis. So, enteritis, colitis, secretory diarrhea can develop in the intestines . Damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, inflammation in the peritoneum and spinal membrane, pulmonary pathologies, urethral diseases, and so on may begin.
Development reasons
Can E. coli be transmitted from a partner? Of course it can. After all, the main cause of human infection is a violation of hygiene standards. Also, this bacterium can be transmitted in another way. Experts say that there are 2 types of transmission of a similar infection:
- Water . It is based on the introduction of bacteria into the human body in the process of using unboiled and low-quality water.
- Alimentary . It is due to the use of seeded food.
As you know, in the process of eating poor-quality food, a person can experience serious cases of poisoning. By the way, such a pathological phenomenon can be noted not only as a result of penetration into the digestive tract of an aggressive strain of E. coli, but also of its decay products. Thus, food, seeded with toxins, is a kind of poison for the animal and human body.
Violation of hygiene standards
Is E. coli sexually transmitted? Experts answer in the affirmative to this question. However, they note that when taking a smear from the vagina, a rod-shaped bacterium is often found in a woman. As a result, bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed. This pathological condition is manifested by vaginal discharge of a dark color, which has a specific smell. This is a direct path to the development of a fungal disease - candidiasis. In this case, we can safely say that E. coli is transmitted sexually.
Why does such a disease develop? Most often, this contributes to the wearing of dirty underwear, improper genital hygiene, the use of poor-quality toilet paper and more.
It should also be noted that for the same reasons, representatives of the weaker sex are developing urethral inflammatory processes. Such a disease occurs if Escherichia coli enters the urinary tract. This can happen in the process of love contact. Therefore, the question of whether E. coli is transmitted sexually, many urologists answer in the affirmative.
With the localization of the bacterium in question in the bladder cavity, a strong inflammatory process develops in patients. In this case, the upper epithelial layer of the said organ is damaged. Unbearable pain, burning sensation and frequent urination appear.
The main symptoms of pathological bacterial reproduction
Having found out whether Escherichia coli is transmitted through love contact, it should be concluded that the presence of such a pathology requires the mandatory use of contraception.
What symptoms are manifested in the pathological reproduction of the bacterium in question? The latent period of infection with this microorganism can last about a week. During this time, the first symptoms may not appear. In the future, a person is able to observe such pronounced signs as:
- green vomiting;
- indigestion in the form of severe diarrhea;
- fever and hyperthermia;
- periodic nausea and weakness;
- impaired appetite, as well as the appearance of pulling pains in the abdomen.
With self-cleaning of the intestine, such clinical manifestations may disappear after a few days.
It should be noted that infection with Escherichia coli in adult patients does not require emergency intervention. As for young children, if they suspect a coli infection, urgent medical attention is necessary, since the presence of Escherichia in babies is a mortal danger.
Types of E. coli
Is E. coli transmitted by airborne droplets? Such cases exist, but they are very rare.
Experts argue that the mechanism of action, as well as the transmission of the bacterium in question, depends on a particular strain of coli infection. At the same time, some sticks can be in the body of an animal or person without any consequences, while others (for example, more aggressive) often cause a chronic or acute form of diarrhea.
So what types of E. coli exist? Intestinal infection can cause five types of coli:
- Enterotoxigenic bacillus. It is formed due to the release of enterotoxins by a huge number of bacteria that adhered with their villi to the epithelial tissue located in the lower parts of the small intestine. Such bacteria form large colonies. The presence of enterotoxigenic bacillus is manifested by gastroenteritis, vomiting and secretory diarrhea.
- Enteropathogenic species. Such a bacterium very often causes the development of gastroenteritis in children. After it enters the upper layer of the small intestine, not only its epithelium and villi are destroyed, but also the absorption of fluids and other nutrient enzymes are disrupted. A similar pathology is manifested by severe intestinal disorder, which lasts more than 2 weeks.
- An enteroinvasive species characterized by watery and profuse diarrhea, as well as bloody stools and intestinal pain. In the presence of such a bacterium, the electrolyte balance is disturbed in babies, which often leads to dehydration.
- Hemolytic infection is the most serious type of infection that inhibits the motor functions of the intestines and stomach, up to paralysis of the muscles of these organs. Such a stick very quickly destroys the mucous membrane of the large intestine, contributing to the development of diarrhea with blood.
- Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia. Such a microorganism penetrates into the epithelial cells rather quickly , causing their death and provoking the development of renal pathologies and hemorrhagic colitis.
E. coli diseases
E. coli is transmitted by airborne droplets only in some cases. Most often, the transmission of such an infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person or animal, as well as in the process of consuming poor-quality food or liquid.
What diseases can the bacteria in question cause? In fact, E. coli contributes to the development of many different diseases. Consider them right now.
- Urethral infectious diseases. Penetrating into the urethra and bladder, the bacteria in question begin to multiply actively on the transitional part of the epithelium. Anomalies of a physiological or anatomical nature that interfere with the normal release of urine contribute to this phenomenon. Among babies up to one year old, boys are affected by this disease. Moreover, in puberty, girls are most often affected by this infection.
The development of urethral infectious diseases in women is associated with the onset of sexual activity. Thus, the provoking factors of such diseases is a violation of personal hygiene measures, as well as the use of mechanical contraceptives.
- E. coli in the blood. This penetration of bacteria causes the development of bacteremia. How is E. coli transmitted in this case? Such an infection can occur due to the invasion of a harmful microorganism and its entry into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall, as well as through the respiratory system, lymphoid tissue, during tooth extraction and other operations.
It should also be noted that the causative agent of infectious diseases is able to penetrate into the bloodstream of a person through scratches and wounds on the skin, as well as on the internal mucous layer. The clinical manifestations of such a pathology in newborn babies are expressed by psychopathological disorders, a violation of the thermoregulation system, manifestations of respiratory failure, vomiting, respiratory arrest in sleep, diarrhea, sleep disturbance, jaundice, or a change or increase in liver tissue. As for adult patients, their bacteremia is manifested by a violation of diuresis, arterial hypotension and seizures.
- Inflammatory processes in the spinal membrane. Few people know, but E. coli very often causes the development of meningitis in newborn babies (mainly in boys born with low weight).
The clinical symptoms of this pathology are expressed by the manifestation of fever, drowsiness and vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea, as well as residual neurological disorders.
Treatment and diagnosis of E. coli
Is E. coli transmitted through breast milk? Experts say that the bacterium in question does not enter the mother’s milk. However, during breastfeeding, the baby can still become infected with a coli infection if bacterial strains are present on the mammary glands.
How is the disease in question diagnosed? The presence of E. coli in the human body is confirmed in the process of bacteriological examination of vomiting, feces or mucous discharge. As for the blood test, it confirms or, conversely, refutes the development of sepsis.
After bacteriological sowing, specialists are required to draw up an individual treatment regimen for E. coli, which includes antimicrobial agents and antibiotics. Prevention is also carried out taking into account the likely development of dysbiosis. In addition, the patient is prescribed sorbents and a solution of Regidron.