Escherichia coli O157:H7
Serotype of the bacteria Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a serotype of the bacterial species Escherichia coli and one of the Shiga-like toxin–producing types of E. coli. It is a cause of disease, typically foodborne illness, through consumption of contaminated or raw food, including raw milk and undercooked ground beef. Infection with this type of pathogenic bacteria may lead to hemorrhagic diarrhea or kidney failure; these have been reported to cause the deaths of children younger than five years of age, of elderly patients, and of patients whose immune systems are otherwise compromised.
Transmission is via the fecal–oral route, and most illness has been through distribution of contaminated raw leaf green vegetables, undercooked meat and raw milk.
Signs and symptoms
E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe, acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (although nonhemorrhagic diarrhea is also possible) and abdominal cramps. Usually little or no fever is present, and the illness resolves in 5 to 10 days. It can also sometimes be asymptomatic.
In certain populations, including young children (especially those under five years of age), older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems, the infection may lead to hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition characterized by the destruction of red blood cells and acute kidney failure. Approximately 2–7% of infections progress to this complication. In the United States, HUS is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases are associated with infection by Escherichia coli O157:H7.
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