Risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 enteritis: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The use of antibiotics for treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection has become controversial since a recent small study found that it may increase the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, other larger studies have reported a protective effect or no association.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether antibiotic therapy for E coli O157:H7 enteritis increases the risk of HUS.


METHODS
PubMed and MEDLINE computer searches were performed for studies published from January 1983 to February 2001 using the key words hemolytic uremic syndrome, risk factor, antibiotics, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Reference lists of relevant publications were reviewed, and 12 experts in the field were contacted to identify additional reports. No language restrictions were applied to the search.


METHODS
Studies were included if they reported a series of patients with documented E coli O157:H7 enteritis, some of whom developed HUS; had clear definitions of HUS; and had adequate data delineating the relationship between antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of HUS. Nine of the 26 identified studies fulfilled these criteria.


METHODS
Two authors (N.S. and A.S.) independently reviewed each report identified by the searches and recorded predetermined information relevant to the inclusion criteria. A pooled odds ratio was calculated using a fixed-effects model, with assessment of heterogeneity among the studies.


RESULTS
The pooled odds ratio was 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.68), indicating that there does not appear to be an increased risk of HUS with antibiotic treatment of E coli O157:H7 enteritis. Incomplete reporting of data in individual studies precluded adjustment for severity of illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis did not show a higher risk of HUS associated with antibiotic administration. A randomized trial of adequate power, with multiple distinct strains of E coli O157:H7 represented, is needed to conclusively determine whether antibiotic treatment of E coli O157:H7 enteritis increases the risk of HUS.
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792-5158, USA.
Nasia
N
Safdar
Adnan
A
Said
Ronald E
RE
Gangnon
Dennis G
DG
Maki
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents