E.COLI Q&A E.COLI Q&A Some frequently asked questions about E. coli:



Q: What is Escherichia coli, or E. coli?



A: E. coli are common, normally benign intestinal bacteria found in humans and animals, but the O157:H7 strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and in some cases death. The O157 bacteria is virulent and tough and only a few are needed to cause illness. Q: How is E. coli O157:H7 spread?



A: The O157 strain is not naturally present in humans, but does occur in cattle. Infected animals can spread the bacteria through their feces, which can wind up on beef during the butchering process. Eating undercooked ground beef causes most E. coli-related illnesses. Feces-contaminated water, vegetables and fruit, as well as unpasteurized milk or juice, can also cause infection.

Q: What illness does E. coli O157:H7 cause?



A: The O157 strain can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable. In children, O157 may lead to a severe, sometimes fatal kidney disease called HUS (hemolytic-uremic syndrome). Q: How is E. coli O157:H7 infection diagnosed?



A: The O157 strain often goes undiagnosed because many labs don't test for it. Anyone who suddenly has diarrhea with blood should be tested.



Q: How is the illness treated?



A: This is an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli. Most people recover without treatment in 5-10 days. Q: What are the long-term consequences of infection?



A: People who only have diarrhea usually recover completely. About a third of people with HUS can have kidney problems years later, and some require long-term dialysis.



Sources: Centers for Disease Control; Associated Press



A Christmas Eve recall of 248,000 pounds of beef linked to an E. coli outbreak in 16 states has focused new attention on an industrial method used to tenderize tough beef and pork. Oklahoma-based National Steak and Poultry recalled boneless steaks, bacon-wrapped beef fillets, steak tips and skirt steaks. The Department of Agriculture says the meats are suspected in 21 cases of illness from E. coli O157:H7. No victims died, but several were hospitalized. The USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a link between eating these blade-tenderized steaks and several cases of the illness. Mechanical tenderization, or "needling," is done on tougher cuts such as strip and T-bone steaks, as well as sirloin, loin and rib steaks, says the American Meat Institute's Scott Goltry. It involves poking hundreds of thin needles into a large piece of meat to mechanically break down muscle fibers. It is impossible to see the channels made by the needles after the steaks have been cut, Goltry says. With pork, the needles often are used to inject a marinade. In beef, no liquid is generally added. This type of treated beef is typically sold to restaurants, not supermarkets, Goltry says. The process raises the risk that E. coli bacteria on the surface of the steak might be transferred to its interior, where cooking would be less likely to kill them. The Safe Food Coalition of consumer groups warned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the dangers of the practice in June. Because these products are not required to be labeled, there's slim chance consumers or restaurants would know whether their steak was tenderized using this technique and therefore must be cooked to at least 140 degrees. If consumers know their steaks have been treated this way, they shouldn't eat them rare, warns Carol Tucker-Foreman of the Consumer Federation of America. The USDA reports that in 2008 more than 50 million pounds of mechanically tenderized meat was produced each month. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more