Open AccessClinical, microbiological and epidemiological aspects of Escherichia coli O157 infection
Author(s) -
Coia John E
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1998.tb01105.x
Subject(s) - vtec , epidemiology , biology , salmonella , campylobacter , escherichia coli , public health , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental health , medicine , bacteria , pathology , biochemistry , genetics , gene
In the last decade infections caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) have emerged as a major public health concern in North America and in Europe, and increasingly in other areas of the world. Although absolute numbers of infections are low in comparison with other enteric pathogens such as Salmonella or Campylobacter , it is well‐recognised that E. coli O157 can produce severe, potentially life‐threatening, illness. As a consequence of this awareness, there has been a rapid expansion of our knowledge about these organisms and the diseases which they cause. In this article, the clinical, microbiological and epidemiological features of VTEC O157 infection are reviewed.