Abstract
From 1996 to 2003, 16 outbreaks of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections in the United States and on cruise ships were confirmed. E. coli serotype O169:H41 was identified in 10 outbreaks and was the only serotype in 6. This serotype was identified in 1 of 21 confirmed ETEC outbreaks before 1996.
Highlights
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in the developing world and among travelers and is increasingly recognized as a cause of outbreaks in the United States [1]
To identify enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), patient specimens were plated to MacConkey agar, and individual colonies or sweeps of confluent growth were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin genes [3]
Sixteen met the criteria for our definition of a confirmed ETEC outbreak; three occurred on international cruise ships that docked in U.S ports and 12 occurred in the United States (Table)
Summary
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in the developing world and among travelers and is increasingly recognized as a cause of outbreaks in the United States [1]. Conclusions During the 8-year study period, CDC received isolates from 59 outbreaks for ETEC testing. Sixteen met the criteria for our definition of a confirmed ETEC outbreak; three occurred on international cruise ships that docked in U.S ports and 12 occurred in the United States (Table).
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