e. coli is a bacterium causing foodborne illness, with symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, and sometimes severe complications.

coli bacteria pathogen infection diarrhea contamination foodborne waterborne fecaloral strain shiga toxin gastroenteritis hemolytic uremic syndrome coliform intestines gramnegative virulence antibiotic resistance diagnosis culture prevention hygiene sanitation outbreak raw meat vegetables lettuce milk cheese symptoms cramping fever nausea vomiting hemorrhagic colitis public health safety handwashing agriculture water testing irrigation bacterium causing illness like cramps severe complications