VERO CYTOTOXIN-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA-COLI, PARTICULARLY SEROGROUP O-157, ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM - 1989-91

This survey reports the results of investigations performed by the Lab oratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP), to identify evidence of human infe ction with Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in the UK during the period 1989-91. Bacterial isolates, faecal specimens and se rum samples were received from patients suffering from diarrhoea, bloo dy diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Using serotyping, Vero c ytotoxin gene probing and an ELISA for serum antibodies to E. coli O 1 57, evidence of infection was detected in 232, 428 and 615 individuals in 1989, 1990 and 1991 respectively. Of these individuals, 15% were r eported as having HUS. Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli O 157 was the most frequently encountered serogroup, with isolations from a total of 1092 individuals over the 3-year period. The incidence of VTEC infect ion increased from 0.41/100000 in 1989 to 1.07/100000 in 1991. The are a with the highest rate of infection in each year was Scotland, increa sing from 1.37/100000 in 1989 to 3.97/100000 in 1991.