title: General outbreaks of vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli O157 in England and Wales from 1992 to 1994.
abstract: We have reviewed all general outbreaks of infection due to Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 reported in England and Wales from 1992 to 1994. One hundred and seventy-three people were affected in 18 outbreaks, compared with 76 people in seven outbreaks in the preceding three years (1989 to 1991). Outbreaks occurred throughout England and Wales. Thirty-eight per cent of cases were admitted to hospital, 21% developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome, and 3% died. VTEC O157 infection causes particular concern because of its serious complications--haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome, its capacity to spread from person to person as well as by food and water, and its reservoir in dairy and beef cattle.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Diseases Section, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Adak
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cheasty
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004926:Escherichia coli; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D022622:Shiga Toxin 1