Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC) [14], enteroag- gregative E. coli (EAEC or EAggEc) [15], and diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) [16].
Despite not being very common, the isolation of diar- rheagenic E. coli from seafood is reported. Kumar et al. [17] detected Shiga-toxigenic E. coli in fish and clams marketed in Mangalore, India. According to the authors, STEC is prevalent in seafoods in India, and non-O157 serotype is more common. In Brazil, Ayulo et al. [18] isolated only one strain of STEC from shellfish, and evi- dence that preventive measures—especially during har- vest and post-harvest—are of major importance to avoid contamination of any nature. For Feldhusen [19], when present in marine seafood or fresh cultured products, pathogenic bacteria levels are considerably moderate. If properly cooked, the hazards of food infection are prac- tically null. Unfortunately, contamination through bacte- ria related to human fecal matter due to seafood con- sumption continues to be considered a health threat.
Considering the importance of researching the bacte- riological quality of seafood, the following study aimed to make a brief overview on the occurrence of E. coli in fish and shellfish to discuss the sanitary importance that the isolation of this enterobacteria represents to the health of seafood consumers.
2. ESCHERICHIA COLI IN FISH
The quality of fresh fish is strongly determined for bac-