Escherichia coli O157:H7
What is Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection?
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E coli O157:H7) is a strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli. E. coli 0157:H7 is a major health problem, It causes foodborne illness, colitis and bloody diarrhea by producing a toxin called Shiga toxin, which damages the intestines. In some people, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 cause both large outbreaks as well as isolated sporadic infections in small numbers of individuals. The illness was associated with eating hamburgers at the restaurants of one national chain. Thus, hemorrhagic colitis due to E, coli 0157:H7 is commonly referred to as hamburger disease.
What're causes of infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7?
E.coli 0157:H7 bacteria originates in the intestines of animals and is carried typically in their feces which can contaminate meat during and after slaughter. Infection with E. coli. O157:H7 can be caused by:
- Eating undercooked ground beef (the inside is pink)
- Drinking contaminated (impure) water
- Drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk
- Eating unwashed, contaminated raw vegetable and fruits
- Working with cattle
Healthy beef and dairy cattle may carry the E. coli germ in their intestines. The meat can get contaminated with the germ during the slaughtering process. When beef is ground up, the E. coli germs get mixed throughout the meat. Ponds and lakes can also become contaminated with E coli. Sometimes contaminated water is unknowingly used to irrigate crops.
The most common way to get this infection is by eating undercooked hamburgers. You can be infected with the E. coli germ if you don't use a high temperature to cook your beef, or if you don't cook it long enough. When you eat undercooked beef, the germs go into your stomach and intestines.
The germ can also be passed from person to person in day care centers and nursing homes. If you have this infection and don't wash your hands well with soap after going to the bathroom, you can give the germ to other people when you touch things, especially food.
What are the symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 infection?
Infection with E. coli. O157:H7 causes severe gastroenteritis, which can include abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. For most children, the vomiting and diarrhea stop within two to three days. However, about 5 to 10% of the children will develop HUS and will become pale, tired, and irritable. Toxins produced by the bacteria enter the blood stream, where they destroy red blood cells and platelets, which contribute to the clotting of blood. The damaged red blood cells and platelets clog tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, or form lesions to occur in the kidneys, making it difficult for the kidneys to remove wastes and extra fluid from the body, resulting in hypertension, fluid accumulation, and reduced production of urine.
How is infection with Escherichia coli O157:H7 Diagnosed?
Infection with E. coli 0157:H7 can be diagnosed by a special testing in stool samples; 1) growing the bacteria in culture dishes, or 2) testing for the shiga toxin produced by the bacteria. Even though toxin detection methods are becoming more common, it is important to confirm the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 in cultures of stool containing toxin.
How is treatment for infection with E. coli 0157:H7?
Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment in 5–10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics improve the course of disease, and it is thought that treatment with some antibiotics may precipitate kidney complications. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura require complex supportive care in an intensive care unit.
How is prevention for infection with E. coli 0157:H7?
Do not eat undercooked hamburger or other ground beef products. Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly. Make sure the cooked meat is brown throughout, and the juices run clear. Avoid raw milk and raw milk products, do not drink untreated water . Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially those that will not be cooked. Children under five years, immunocompromised persons, and the elderly should avoid eating alfalfa sprouts. Make sure infected people, especially children, wash their hands carefully with soap.