Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli Infection: U.S. Overview

Authors: Tarr, Phillip I.¹; Besser, Thomas E.²; Hancock, Dale D.³; Keene, William E.⁴; Goldofts, Marcia⁵

Source: Journal of Food Protection®, Volume 60, Number 11, November 1997 , pp. 1466-1471(6)

Publisher: International Association for Food Protection

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Abstract:

Escherichia coli O157:H7 remains a public health problem in the United States despite a dramatic increase in the awareness of, and concern about, foodborne infections since the 1993 multistate E. coli O157:H7 epidemic. Although surveillance data can be difficult to interpret, the incidence of endemic disease caused by this organism is probably not increasing, and might be decreasing, at least in selected populations. With increased recognition of E. coli O157:H7 infection has come the investigation of increasing number of outbreaks, leading to the recognition of many "new" vehicles, including some foods not traditionally associated with enteric infections, such as dry-cured salami and lettuce. Molecular fingerprinting techniques are being used to track the transmission of E. coli O157:H7 through human populations. Analysis of DNA encoding virulence factors and surface antigens suggests that diarrheagenic E. coli have evolved by acquiring large DNA fragments, with subsequent chromosomal recombination. Some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli other than E. coli O157:H7 are no doubt pathogens, but the majority of these toxigenic strains found in food are probably not virulent. More research is needed to define the characteristics that render selected Shiga toxin-producing organisms harmful to humans.

Keywords: E. COLI O157:H7; HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME; SHIGA TOXIN; VEROCYTOTOXIN

Document Type: Miscellaneous

Affiliations: 1: Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital and Medical Center and Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105 2: Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164 3: Field Disease Investigative Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164 4: Acute and Communicable Disease Program, Oregon Health Division, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 772, Portland, Oregon, 97232 5: Washington State Department of Health, Communicable Disease/Epidemiology Section, Seattle, Washington 98155

Publication date: 1997-11-01

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First published in 1937, the Journal of Food Protection^®, is a refereed monthly publication. Each issue contains scientific research and authoritative review articles reporting on a variety of topics in food science pertaining to food safety and quality. The Journal is internationally recognized as the leading publication in the field of food microbiology with a readership exceeding 11,000 scientists from 70 countries. The Journal of Food Protection^® is indexed in Index Medicus, Current Contents, BIOSIS, PubMed, Medline, and many others.

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Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli Infection: U.S. Overview

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