Enterobacteriaceae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Enterobacteria |
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| Citrobacter freundii | |
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Enterobacteriales
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Enterobacteriaceae
Rahn, 1937
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Enterobacteriaceae are a big group of tiny living things called bacteria. They often live in the intestines of humans and animals. The name "Enterobacteriaceae" comes from words meaning "intestine" and "bacteria." This family includes some well-known bacteria, like Salmonella and Escherichia coli (often called E. coli).
Contents
What Are Enterobacteriaceae?
Enterobacteriaceae are a large family of bacteria. They are found almost everywhere. You can find them in soil, water, and plants. They also live inside the bodies of animals and humans. Many types of these bacteria are harmless. Some are even helpful. For example, some E. coli strains help us digest food.
Where Do They Live?
These bacteria are often found in the stomach and intestines. This is why they are called "entero-" bacteria. They are a normal part of the gut environment for many creatures. However, some types can cause problems if they get into other parts of the body.
Are They Always Bad?
Not all Enterobacteriaceae are harmful. Many types are part of the normal microbiome (the helpful bacteria living in our bodies). But some members of this family are known to cause sickness. For example, Salmonella can cause food poisoning. Certain types of E. coli can also make people very sick.
A Recent Event
In February 2015, there was an event in Los Angeles, California. About 179 people might have come into contact with a type of Enterobacteriaceae. This bacteria was hard to treat with common medicines. It was confirmed that the bacteria spread from the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. This event showed how important it is to control the spread of bacteria in hospitals.
See also
In Spanish: Enterobacterias para niños
