The importance of testing whole stool for Shiga toxin: a clinical and microbiological perspective.
This case report emphasizes the importance of testing whole stool for the presence of Shiga toxin; especially in light of clinical suspicion, or whenever a grossly bloody stool specimen is received in the lab. Since organisms other than Escherichia coli O157:H7 can elaborate Shiga toxin, a negative stool culture for the usual enteric pathogens does not rule out the possibility of a Shiga toxin-mediated pathology in the appropriate clinical setting. The presence of this toxin in stool influences a physician's approach towards the patient's antimicrobial management.
Malik
Zainab A
ZA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Montefiore Medical Center, Rosenthal 4, 111 E, 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Broughel
Darcy
D
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D022621:Shiga Toxin