Cluster of hemolytic-uremic syndrome caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26:H11

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are primarily food-borne pathogens that may cause diarrheal outbreaks and are associated with severe complications, specifically hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We report here ge-nome sequence data for STEC O26:H11, which is associated with a cluster of cases of HUS, a rarely described syndrome in South Africa.

Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli Detection in Stool Samples Screened for Viral Gastroenteritis in Alberta, Canada

“…It was possible that the stool samples were submitted late in the illness or that the organisms were not causing a typical diarrheal illness. Of additional concern is the identification of five non-O157 serogroups previously associated with severe illness (O26:HNM, O26:H11, O103:H25, O121:H19, and O145: HNM), including HUS (1,7,9,21,22,26,30). O103:H25 was isolated from patients in both 2007 and 2008; however, the isolate from 2007 was stx 1 positive only, whereas the 2008 isolate was positive for both stx 1 and stx 2 .…”

Shiga Toxin–producing Escherichia coli, New Mexico, USA, 2004–2007

“…Non-O157 STEC infection also is associated with severe illness and HUS but often is underdiagnosed and less well understood ( 3 – 7 ). Studies in Europe indicate that non-O157 STEC infections occur more frequently than do STEC O157 infections ( 3 ).…”

Genetic structure and chromosomal integration site of the cryptic prophage CP-1639 encoding Shiga toxin 1

“…Following their first description in 1983 Wells et al, 1983), mainly STEC of serotype O157 : H7 were considered to be a serious health risk worldwide (Kaper, 1998). However, non-O157 E. coli serotypes with variations in virulence determinants have emerged during the last decade, especially in Europe (Beutin et al, 2004;Bielaszewska et al, 2004;Blanco et al, 2004;Brunder et al, 1999;Caprioli et al, 1997;Friedrich et al, 2002Friedrich et al, , 2003Leung et al, 2003;Misselwitz et al, 2003;Schmidt et al, 1999c;Tozzi et al, 2003). Stx secreted from STEC cells can damage endothelial cells (Bitzan & te Loo, 2003;Jacewicz et al, 1999;O'Loughlin & Robins-Browne, 2001;Zoja et al, 2001) as well as renal tubular cells, which may result in acute renal failure (Kaneko et al, 2001;Williams et al, 1999).…”