Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
Esch·e·rich·ia Pronunciation:
"esh-&-'rik-E-& Function:
noun : a genus of aerobic gram-negative rod-shaped bacteriaof the family Enterobacteriaceae that form acid and gas on many carbohydrates (as dextrose and lactose) but no acetoin and that include occas. pathogenic forms (as some strains of
E. coli)normally present in the human intestine and other forms which typically occur in soil and water
Escháeárich /'esh-&-rik/,
Theodor (1857–1911), Germanpediatrician. A seminal figure in pediatrics, Escherich used his extensive knowledge of bacteriology, immunology, and biochemistry to greatly advance child care, especially in the areas of hygiene andnutrition. In 1886 he published a monograph in which he discussed the relationship of intestinal bacteria to the physiology of digestion in infants. Therein he gave the first description of a colonbacillus (
Escherichia coli) now extensively used in genetic research.
