|
.gif) |
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7)
1995 Case Definition
Clinical description
An infection of variable severity characterized
by diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. Illness may
be complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP); asymptomatic infections may also
occur.
Laboratory criteria for diagnosis
- Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7
from a specimen, or
- Isolation of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:NM*
from a clinical specimen
Case classification
Suspect: A case
of postdiarrheal HUS or TTP (see HUS case definition)
Probable:
- Isolation of E. coli O157 from a clinical
specimen, pending confirmation of H7 or Shiga-like toxin, or
- Bloody diarrhea, HUS, or TTP that is epidemiologically
linked to a confirmed or probable case
Confirmed: a case that is laboratory confirmed.
Comment
Confirmation is based on laboratory findings, and
clinical illness is not required. Suspect, probable, and confirmed
cases should be reported to local or state health departments.
Only confirmed cases are reported nationally.
*Strains of E. coli O157:H7 that have lost
the flagellar "H" antigen become nonmotile and are designated "NM"
See also:
Printable
Version |
|
