title: Clinical and pathological variability of infection by enterohaemorrhagic (Vero cytotoxin producing) Escherichia coli.
abstract: The clinical and pathological features of five sporadic cases of enteric infection caused by Escherichia coli O157 (enterohaemorrhagic or Vero cytotoxin-producing E coli showed a range of features. These included one case with pseudomembranous colitis, one with an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, and three with enterocolitis. Diagnostic difficulties encountered initially in four of the five cases were finally resolved by correlating the results of microbiological with histopathological investigations. In view of the heterogeneity of clinical and histological signs and symptoms, it is concluded that all patients with abdominal pain and diarrhoea or rectal bleeding should have early microbiological investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, County Hospital, Lincoln.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Youngs
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003603:Cytotoxins; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1