Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli (commonly abbreviated E. coli; ˌɛʃɪˈrɪkiə ˈkoʊlaɪ, /iː ~/, and named after its discoverer), is a Gram negative rod-shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms (endotherms). Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some, such as serotype O157:H7, can cause serious food poisoning in humans, and are occasionally responsible for product recalls. The harmless strains are part of the normal flora of the gut, and can benefit their hosts by producing vitamin K₂, and by preventing the establishment of pathogenic bacteria within the intestine.