A severe outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Japan

Abstract

In 1990, an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection occurred in 174 children in a nursery school in Saitama, Japan. The organism was isolated from tap water supplied from the well in the school. Clinical manifestations varied from asymptomatic infection to non-bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and death. Among culture-confirmed 42 cases of E. coli O157:H7, 7 children were asymptomatic, 21 children had only diarrhoea, and 14 children developed HUS. Bloody diarrhoea with abdominal pain following initial frequent diarrhoea appeared to be associated with subsequent HUS. In patients with HUS, both leucocyte count and lactate dehydrogenase activity continued to increase in the early phase of the disease, and on day 3 of illness attained markedly higher levels than in patients without HUS. These two parameters seemed to be important as predictors of the development of HUS.

Conclusion: E. coli O157:H7 is a common pathogen causing colitis. It should be kept in mind in paediatric practice and public health.