Escherichia coli O104:H21
This page is about microbiologic aspects of the organism. For clinical aspects of the disease, see Escherichia coli enteritis.
To view information about other strains of Escherichia coli, see Escherichia coli.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
==Overview
Escherichia coli O104:H21 is a rare serotype of Escherichia coli, a species of bacteria that lives in the lower intestines of mammals.[1] The presence of many serotypes of E. coli in animals is beneficial or does not cause disease. However, E. coli O121 has been recognized as a pathogenic serotype of bacteria.
History
History
E. coli O104:H21 was discovered in 1982, when it caused an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea. It had infected hamburgers, and those effected had eaten these hamburgers not fully-cooked.[2]
Effects
Effects
E. coli O104:H21 can cause outbreak of infection similar to that caused by E. coli O157:H7, the most common shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (SLTEC). SLTECs are the most well-known causes of gastrointestinal illness and diarrhea.[3]
Treatment
Treatment
The body usually rids itsself of harmful E. coli O104:H21 on its own within 5 to 10 days. Antibiotics should not be used, and neither should antidiarrheal agents such as loperamide.[4]
References
References
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5602a2.htm Laboratory-Confirmed Non-O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. Coli, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed March 16, 2007
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm#What%20is%20Escherichia%20coli%20O157:H7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Last Accessed August 1, 2007
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00038146.htm Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis Attributable to Escherichia coli Serotype O104:H21, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed July 31, 2007
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm#What%20is%20Escherichia%20coli%20O157:H7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Last Accessed August 1, 2007
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