Human infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli other than serogroup O157 in Germany.
We investigated different types of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) not belonging to serogroup O157 for their role as human pathogens. Non-O157 STEC isolated from 89 human patients in Germany were characterized according to serotypes, virulence markers, and association with human illness. EaeA-positive STEC were isolated from 54 (60.7%) of the patients and were frequently associated with severe diarrheal disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and young age. EaeA-negative STEC were found in 35 (39.3%) of the patients and were more associated with clinically uncomplicated cases and adult patients. For pediatric patients, a serotype-independent diagnosis of STEC is recommended.
Beutin
L
L
Robert Koch-Institut, Abt. Mikrobiologie, Berlin, Germany. BeutinL@rki.de
Zimmermann
S
S
Gleier
K
K
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D022603:Shiga Toxins; D014774:Virulence
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D022603:Shiga Toxins; C073819:eaeA protein, E coli