NC_011353:12000 Escherichia coli O157:H7 str. EC4115 chromosome, complete genome
Host Lineage: Escherichia coli; Escherichia; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is associated with Hamburger disease, which is caused by the contamination of meat products by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). The identifier O157:H7 refers to the serotype of EHEC, and reflects the specific antigenic markers found on the surface of the cell. EHEC attaches and effaces to cells in the large intestine. This organism was named for its discoverer, Theodore Escherich, and is one of the premier model organisms used in the study of bacterial genetics, physiology, and biochemistry. This enteric organism is typically present in the lower intestine of humans, where it is the dominant facultative anaerobe present, but it is only one minor constituent of the complete intestinal microflora. E. coli, is capable of causing various diseases in its host, especially when they acquire virulence traits. E. coli can cause urinary tract infections, neonatal meningitis, and many different intestinal diseases, usually by attaching to the host cell and introducing toxins that disrupt normal cellular processes.