Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome outbreak caused by Escherichia coli O111:H-: clinical outcomes.
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.
Henning
P H
PH
Department of Nephrology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA. henningp@wch.gov.sa.au
Tham
E B
EB
Martin
A A
AA
Beare
T H
TH
Jureidini
K F
KF
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