Community-wide outbreak of hemolytic-uremic syndrome associated with non-O157 verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli

J Infect Dis. 1994 Jan;169(1):208-11. doi: 10.1093/infdis/169.1.208.

Abstract

From 20 April through 13 May 1992, 9 children were hospitalized with hemolytic-uremic syndrome in Lombardia, Italy, where only 14 cases of this syndrome had occurred in the preceding 4 years. Cases were scattered in a large area encompassing five provinces, and the source of the outbreak was not identified. Eight patients needed dialysis, and there was 1 death. Seven of the 9 cases were examined for evidence of infection by Vero cytotoxin (VT)-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC). Six children had serum antibodies to the lipopolysaccharide of E. coli O111, and a VT-producing E. coli O111:NM was isolated from stool in 1 case. This is the first outbreak of VTEC infection recognized in Italy and the first associated with an E. coli serotype other than O157:H7.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytotoxins / biosynthesis
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Escherichia coli / classification
  • Escherichia coli / immunology
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infant
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Serotyping
  • Shiga Toxin 1

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Cytotoxins
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Shiga Toxin 1