E coli is a gram-negative bacillus that grows well on commonly used media. It is lactose-fermenting and beta-hemolytic on blood agar. Most E coli strains are nonpigmented.

Is E. coli bacillus or coccus?

Basic Microbiology. Escherichia coli are typically Gram-negative, rod shaped (2.0–6.0 μm in length and 1.1–1.5 μm wide bacilli) bacteria with rounded ends. The actual shape of these bacteria does, however, vary from spherical (cocci) cells through to elongated or filamentous rods.

What type of bacillus is E. coli?

Escherichia organisms are gram-negative bacilli that exist singly or in pairs. E coli is facultatively anaerobic with a type of metabolism that is both fermentative and respiratory. They are either nonmotile or motile by peritrichous flagella. E coli is a major facultative inhabitant of the large intestine.