This is the case definition for shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
- Laboratory confirmation of infection with or without clinical illness:
- Culture isolation of E.coli O157* from an appropriate clinical specimen OR
- Detection of a shiga toxin gene by PCR** from an appropriate clinical specimen
*All culture confirmed E.coli O157, including shiga toxin gene PCR positive and negative are included.
**Includes cases infected with Shiga toxin producing E.coli non-O157
- Laboratory evidence of infection with or without clinical illness:
- Detection of E.Coli 0157*** by PCR from an appropriate specimen
***Includes cases where Shiga toxin gene PCR results are pending or negative.
Clinical illness in a person who is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case, which would include persons with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Clinical illness is characterized by diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. Illness may be complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP), or pulmonary edema with no other identifiable cause. Asymptomatic infections may also occur.
Appropriate clinical specimens include sterile site, deep tissue wounds, stool, vomit, urine, or blood.
