BACTERIAL GENOTYPE AND NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF ESCHERICHIA-COLIO157-H7 ASSOCIATED HEMOLYTIC-UREMIC SYNDROME

We examined the possibility of an association between the bacterial ge notype of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the likelihood of progression t o neurological complications in childhood gastroenteritis-associated h aemolytic uraemic syndrome (D+HUS). Bacterial stool isolates were avai lable from 51 patients with HUS; 11 of these patients suffered a neuro logical complication. Bacteria were assessed for plasmid content, vero toxin (Shiga-like toxin) profile, verotoxin 2 subtype, and presence of the eaeA (effacement and attachment) marker. No association of bacter ial genotype with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations was obse rved. Whilst the cause of CNS manifestions may be multifactorial, ther e is no evidence at present to implicate specific bacterial traits.