Abstract
ObjectivesShiga-toxin producing O157:H7 Entero Haemorrhagic E. coli [STEC/EHEC] are the most common cause of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome [HUS] related to infectious haemorrhagic colitis. Nearly all recommendations on long term treatment of EHEC infections refer to this strain. The 2011 outbreak in Northern Europe was the first of this dimension to be caused by the serotype O104:H4. We report on the 3.5 year follow up of 61 patients diagnosed with symptomatic EHEC O104:H4 infection in spring 2011.MethodsPatients with EHEC O104 infection were followed in a monocentric, prospective observational study at four time points: 4, 12, 24 and 36 months. These data include the patients’ histories, clinical findings, and complications.ResultsSixty-one patients suffering from EHEC O104:H4 associated enterocolitis participated in the study at the time of hospital discharge. The mean age of patients was 43 ± 2 years, 37 females and 24 males. 48 patients participated in follow up 1 [FU 1], 34 patients in follow up 2 [FU 2], 23 patients in follow up 3 [FU 3] and 18 patients in follow up 4 [FU 4]. Out of 61 patients discharged from the hospital and included in the study, 54 [84%] were examined at least at one additional follow up. Serum creatinine decreased significantly between discharge and FU 1 from 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/dl to 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/dl [p = 0.0045]. From FU 1 until FU 4, no further change in creatinine levels could be observed. The patients need of antihypertensive medications decreased significantly [p = 0.0005] between discharge and FU 1 after four months. From FU 1 until FU 3, 24 months later, no further significant change in antihypertensive treatment was observed.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that patients free of pathological findings at time of discharge do not need a specific follow up. Patients with persistent health problems at hospital discharge should be clinically monitored over four months to evaluate chronic organ damage. Progressive or new emerging renal damage could not be observed over time in any patient.
Highlights
In 2011, Germany experienced the largest recorded outbreak of Entero Hemolytic Escherichia coli [EHEC] O104 associated enterocolitis to date, with fenugreek sprouts from Egypt as a possible causative source of infection [1]
Patients with EHEC O104 infection were followed in a monocentric, prospective observational study at four time points: 4, 12, 24 and 36 months
Sixty-one patients suffering from EHEC O104:H4 associated enterocolitis participated in the study at the time of hospital discharge
Summary
In 2011, Germany experienced the largest recorded outbreak of Entero Hemolytic Escherichia coli [EHEC] O104 associated enterocolitis to date, with fenugreek sprouts from Egypt as a possible causative source of infection [1]. The outbreak differed from formerly described outbreaks. It was caused by the O104:H4 strain of E. coli, which was characterized by expression of Shiga-toxin 2 and ‘‘Extended Spectrum bLactamase‘‘ [ESBL] [2]. The largest number of EHEC related outbreaks described so far were associated to the O157:H7 strain [3, 4]. The predominance of young, female patients with high complication rates were markedly different to previous episodes of EHEC infections [7]
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