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Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli, particularly serogroup O 157, associated with human infections in the United Kingdom: 1989–91

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A. Thomas ,
H. Chart ,
T. Cheasty ,
H. R. Smith ,
J. A. Frost  and
B. Rowe
A. Thomas
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
H. Chart
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
T. Cheasty
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
H. R. Smith
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
J. A. Frost
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
B. Rowe
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
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Abstract

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This survey reports the results of investigations performed by the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP), to identify evidence of human infection with Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in the UK during the period 1989–91. Bacterial isolates, faecal specimens and serum samples were received from patients suffering from diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Using serotyping, Vero cytotoxin gene probing and an ELISA for serum antibodies to E. coli 0 157, evidence of infection was detected in 232, 428 and 615 individuals in 1989. 1990 and 1991 respectively. Of these individuals, 15% were reported as having HUS. Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli O 157 was the most frequently encountered serogroup. with isolations from a total of 1092 individuals over the 3-year period. The incidence of VTEC infection increased from 0·41/ 100000 in 1989 to 1· 07/100000 in 1991. The area with the highest rate of infection in each year was Scotland, increasing from 1–37/100000 in 1989 to 3·97/ 100000 in 1991.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 110 , Issue 3 , June 1993 , pp. 591 - 600
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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