What is "enteric bacteria"

n. rod-shaped gram-negative bacteria; most occur normally or pathogenically in intestines of humans and other animals [syn: enterobacteria, enterics]

Enteric bacteria are bacteria of the intestines, and may refer to:

• Gut flora, which are always present and usually harmless
• Pathogenic bacteria of bacterial gastroenteritis
• The taxonomic family Enterobacteriaceae