[Hemolytic-uremic syndrome: association with vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli. An epidemiological and microbiological study on possible animal reservoirs]. / La sindrome emolitica-uremica: associazione con escherichia coli verocitotossina produttori. Indagine epidemiologica e microbiologica sui possibili serbatoi animali.

Vero cytotoxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (VTEC) appear to be in man associated with a range of clinical symptoms from mild non bloody diarrhoea to haemorrhagic colitis and severe haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). We present two patients affected by HUS who were investigated to determine evidence of infection by VTEC. In one of the patient free fecal cytotoxin active on Vero cells was detected as well as seroconversion of VT-neutralizing antibody titre. Both children were living in the same county town, but all parents denied any animal contact. The source of infection was not identified but one child had eaten ground beef during the period immediately prior to the onset of symptoms. Epidemiological informations are presented and the results of a study on the possible animal reservoir are illustrated. Fecal cultures were performed on 38 stools specimen obtained from non diarrheal beef cattle and pork. One VT- producing Escherichia coli strain was isolated in pork faeces (20 stools sample) whereas two VTEC were found in cattle faeces (18 stool sample).