Characterisation of recent E. coli strain associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome

January 01, 0001

Characterisation of recent E. coli strain associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome

In an ongoing outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and bloody diarrhoea caused by a virulent Escherichia coli strain O104:H4 in Germany (with some cases elsewhere in Europe and North America), 810 cases of the syndrome and 39 deaths have occurred since the beginning of May, 2011. The researchers from Germany analysed virulence profiles and relevant phenotypes of outbreak isolates recovered in their laboratory. They analysed stool samples from 80 patients that had been submitted to the National Consulting Laboratory for Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome in Münster, Germany, between May 23 and June 2, 2011.

All isolates were of the HUSEC041 clone (sequence type 678). All shared virulence profiles combining typical Shiga-toxin- producing E coli (stx2, iha, lpfO26, lpfO113) and enteroaggregative E coli (aggA, aggR, set1, pic, aap) loci and expressed phenotypes that define Shiga-toxin-producing E coli and enteroaggregative E coli, including production of Shiga toxing 2 and aggregative adherence to epithelial cells. Isolates additionally displayed an extended-spectrum â-lactamase phenotype absent in HUSEC041.

The researchers concluded: "Augmented adherence of the strain to intestinal epithelium might facilitate systemic absorption of Shiga toxin and could explain the high progression to haemolytic uraemic syndrome. This outbreak demonstrates that blended virulence profiles in enteric pathogens, introduced into susceptible populations, can have extreme consequences for infected people."

So quick to be studied and published!

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The Lancet Infectious Diseases published online 23 June 2011 © 2011 Elsevier Limited
Characterisation of the Escherichia coli strain associated with an outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Germany, 2011: a microbiological study. Martina Bielaszewska, Alexander Mellmann, Wenlan Zhang et al. Correspondence to Helge Karch: [email protected]

Category: D. Digestive. Keywords: E.coli, strain, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, Germany, microbiological study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 15 July 2011

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