Much of this discussion talks about pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli.
For practical purposes, all strains of E. coli should be considered as poten-
tial pathogens. What distinguishes pathogens from non-pathogens is location
and opportunity. Some are more dangerous than others and some are generally
benign, but I would handle all of them the same way pretty much the same way
I would handle something like Streptococcus pyogenes, another commonly encoun-
tered bacterium that has never been shown to be anyone's friend.
Howard Kaplan
Biology Dep't.
Univ. of D.C.
HKAPLAN at UDCVAX.BITNET
