Enterohemorrhagic shiga- like toxin producer Escherichia Coli Ileitis: The first capsule endoscopy report in adults

Abstract

Shiga-like toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) is the most common type of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli (EHEC) and is responsible for outbreaks of acute diarrhoea every year and potential life-threatening events such as hemolytic huremic syndrome. These conditions are usually the result of a severe colitis, with extensively and well described endoscopic features. To date no cases of acute haemorrhagic ileitis due to STEC infection have been reported in adults and there are only few case reports in children. Our report describes a medium/terminal ileal inflammation due to STEC infection in a 44-year-old patient who was transferred in the intensive care department. Describing this different location of E.coli infection is important to promptly recognize the disease and to make an appropriate differential diagnosis as severe complications can occur also in otherwise healthy people or in other family members, Moreover, a well-founded suspicion can be of help for alerting microbiologists and pathologists to perform the right diagnostic tests and hygienists to accurately monitor for potential sources of infection.