EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTION DUE TO ESCHERICHIA-COLI O157 - A 3-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

A 3-year study of Escherichia coli infections in Grampian Region was c onducted to ascertain the incidence, document clinical sequelae and id entify at-risk groups, Approximately 30 000 stools from patients with acute diarrhoea were screened for E. coli O157, and an epidemiological questionnaire filled in for each patient whose stool was positive. Ei ghty-three patients were studied. The annual incidence was 6 per 100 0 00, Proportionately more infections occurred in people involved in agr iculture. Evidence was seen of case-to-case transmission, and contamin ation of a water supply. Eight cases developed haemolytic uraemic synd rome (HUS). There were 2 deaths due to HUS and 2 due to haemorrhagic c olitis (HC). Symptomatic E. coli infection is relatively common in the Grampian Region, more common in the agricultural community, and is th e main cause of HUS in this Region.