title: [Infections by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC): a clinical and microbiologic problem and a challenge for the public health service].
abstract: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is the cause of haemorrhagic colitis which may be complicated by subsequent haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and neurologic disorders. The organisms produce at least three biochemically and immunologically distinct cytotoxins which are designated as Shiga-like (SLT) or verotoxins and which are identified by immunological methods, cell culture tests, or gene-probes. According to present knowledge infections are primarily caused by consumption of contaminated milk and meat products and secondarily during outbreaks by human-to-human transmission. In North America cattle is considered as the main reservoir whereas in Europe sufficient information is lacking. EHEC produce different amounts of SLT; high toxin producers were identified in strains belonging to E.coli O157:H7, O157:H-, 026:H11, 0111:H8 and 0111:H-. Sporadic cases and two outbreaks due to EHEC have been identified in the Federal Republic of Germany. The life-threatening complications of the the disease, unknown reservoirs and vehicles of transmission of the organisms in Europe, and sophisticated diagnostic laboratory methods represent a clinical and microbiological problem and a challenge to the public health service.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universität Hamburg.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bockemühl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005506:Food Contamination; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003603:Cytotoxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1
vernacular_title: Infektionen durch enterohämorrhagische Escherichia coli (EHEC): ein klinisches und mikrobiologisches Problem und eine Herausforderung für den öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienst.