Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in children with diarrhea: A prospective point-of-care study

Eileen J. Klein, Jennifer R. Stapp, Carla R. Clausen, Daniel R. Boster, Joy G. Wells, Xuan Qin, David L. Swerdlow, Phillip I. Tarr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

128 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a prospective cohort study to determine the frequency and characteristics of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections in children with diarrhea attending an emergency department and a private clinic in Seattle, Washington. Methods: Between November 1998 and October 2001, 1851 stools were processed for STEC by sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) agar screening and a commercial Stx enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results: STEC belonging to serotypes O157:H7 (n = 28), O103:H2 (n = 4), O118:H16 (n = 2), O26:H11, O111:nonmotile, O111:H8, O121:H19, and O rough:H11 (n = 1 each) were recovered from 39 (2.1%) stools. EIA and SMAC agar detected 89% and 100% of the patients with E coli O157:H7, respectively. E coli O157:H7-infected patients had significantly higher frequencies of bloody stools, fecal leukocytes, and abdominal tenderness and shorter symptom duration. Hemolytic uremic syndrome developed in 5 (18%) and none of the children infected with E coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 STEC, respectively (P = .30). Conclusions: E coli O157:H7 is the predominant STEC in this population. Children infected with E coli O157:H7 have clinical presentations different from those whose stools contain non-O157:H7 STEC. Culture and Stx detection are needed to optimally detect STEC of all serotypes in stools. SMAC agar screening should not be replaced by EIA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)172-177
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume141
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in children with diarrhea: A prospective point-of-care study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this