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Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infections in Sheffield: cattle as a possible source

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

P. A. Chapman
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
D. J. Wright
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
P. Norman
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
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Summary

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During 1986 and 1987, faecal samples from patients with haemorrhagie colitis (HC) or haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) were examined for evidence of infection by verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC). During the 2-year period VTEC infections were found in 31 (78%) of 40 patients initially presenting with HC, and in 5 (63%) of 8 patients initially presenting with HUS, VTEC were found in only 2 (0·9%) of 229 age and sex matched control patients with acute non-bloody diarrhoea. All but one VTEC belonged to E. coli serogroup O 157. During 1987 this serogroup was isolated from 2 (1%) of 207 samples of faeces taken from cattle arriving at a Sheffield abattoir, indicating a possible source of these infections for man. We are unaware of previous reports of isolation of this organism from cattle in England.

Type
Special Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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