title: Surveillance of Escherichia coli O157 isolation and confirmation, United States, 1988.
abstract: In 1989, to examine patterns of testing for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in state public health laboratories (SPHLs), CDC conducted a survey to determine the availability and type of Escherichia coli O157:H7 testing in SPHLs during 1988 and the number of isolates confirmed at SPHLs if such testing was available. The results were compared with information on isolates submitted for confirmatory testing at CDC in 1988. Thirty-nine (78%) of the 51 SPHLs were testing for E. coli O157:H7 in 1988; 26 confirmed at least one E. coli O157 isolate in that year. CDC confirmed isolates from three additional states. A total of 489 E. coli O157:H7 or E. coli O157:NM isolates were identified, with the largest numbers being reported from Washington (156), Oregon (64), Minnesota (63), and Massachusetts (36). These results show that E. coli O157 has been detected in most areas of the United States. Infections are apparently concentrated in northern states; however, improved surveillance data are needed to determine regional incidence and trends.
authors.affiliation: Enteric Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ostroff
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Tauxe
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sowers
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Strockbine
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003092:Colitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology