title: Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome outbreak caused by Escherichia coli O111:H-: clinical outcomes.
abstract: In South Australia in 1995, we treated 20 children with haemolytic-uraemic syndrome associated with Escherichia coli O111:H-. The source of the outbreak was contaminated locally produced semi-dry fermented sausage (mettwurst). One child died of multiple haemorrhagic cerebral infarcts. Eighteen children required renal dialysis (for a median of 14 days); 12 months after discharge five still had significant impairment of renal function. Other major complications included colonic necrosis (3), cerebral haemorrhage/infarction (3), convulsions (4), and glucose intolerance (2). Although E. coli O111:H- has been associated with sporadic cases of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, this was the first large outbreak reported in Australia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA. henningp@wch.gov.sa.au
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Henning
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Beare
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Jureidini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome