Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli as a possible etiological agent of chronic diarrhea.
We identified Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) as the likely etiologic pathogen for chronic diarrhea in 2 patients, 1 of whom was immunocompromised with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and 1 of whom was immunocompetent. Both were treated with antibiotics, and neither developed systemic complications of the infection. These cases suggest that STEC infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea.
Spacek
Lisa A
LA
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. lspacek@jhmi.edu
Hurley
Bryan P
BP
Acheson
David W K
DW
Granok
Alexander
A
Currie
Allan
A
Doing
Kirk
K
Sears
Cynthia L
CL
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D022621:Shiga Toxin