Escherichia coli: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Abstract

The species Escherichia coli comprises non-pathogenic commensal strains that form part of the normal flora of humans and virulent strains responsible for acute infections inside and outside the intestine. In addition to these pathotypes, various strains of E. coli are suspected of promoting the development or exacerbation of chronic diseases of the intestine such as Crohn?s disease and colorectal cancer.