Prolonged fecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli among children attending day-care centers in Argentina

Rev Argent Microbiol. 2007 Apr-Jun;39(2):90-2.

Abstract

In this report we describe the detection and duration of fecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coil (STEC) O157 and non-O157 in symptomatic and asymptomatic cases during four events occurred among children in day-care centers in Argentina. In each event, the cases were identified among children, family contacts and staff members of the Institution. The isolates were characterized by pheno-genotyping and subtyping methods. The STEC fecal shedding was prolonged and intermittent. Strains O157:H7 (1st event); O26:H11 (2nd event); O26:H11 (3rd event) and O145:NM (4th event) were shed during 23-30, 37, 31 and 19 days, respectively. Considering the possibility of STEC intermittent long-term shedding, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals should be excluded from the Institution until two consecutive stool cultures obtained at least 48 h apart, test negative.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Caregivers / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / microbiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Escherichia coli / classification
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / transmission
  • Escherichia coli O157 / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli O157 / metabolism
  • Family Health
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Shiga Toxins / analysis*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Shiga Toxins