What does Shiga toxin producing E coli mean?
What does Shiga toxin producing E coli mean?
Definition. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea in infected people. In rare cases, the same bacterium can also cause a kidney disease known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. The most well known member of this group of bacteria is E. coli O157:H7.
Is Shiga toxin the same as E coli?
Some kinds of E. coli cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called “Shiga toxin-producing” E. coli, or STEC for short.
How is Shiga toxin E coli treated?
Most patients are mildly ill and can be treated at home with oral fluids. However, patients with HUS may require dialysis. TTP may require a type of exchange transfusion called plasmapheresis. Antibiotics may be needed if the patient develops sepsis.
How long does Shiga toxin E coli last?
The illness usually resolves in five to 10 days. Infants and the elderly are most susceptible to developing severe disease.
How does someone get Shiga toxin?
People become infected with STEC when they eat any product contaminated with the bacteria. The bacteria live in the intestines of healthy cattle, and contamination of their meat may occur during the slaughtering process. Infection most typically occurs by eating contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked meat.
Where is Shiga toxin E. coli found?
The bacteria live in the intestines of healthy cattle, and contamination of their meat may occur during the slaughtering process. Infection most typically occurs by eating contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked meat.
What food is most commonly linked to Shiga toxin producing E. coli?
Infection most typically occurs by eating contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked meat. Infection can also occur after eating of any product contaminated with STEC, including lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, salami, and raw (unpasteurized) milk, juice, or cider. Infected people can spread E.
Is Shiga toxin serious?
coli that makes Shiga toxin can make us very, very ill. Shiga toxin damages blood vessels in the intestines, causing bloody diarrhea. If Shiga toxin gets into the bloodstream it can cause kidney failure. “This is especially common in children; about 15% of kids with Shiga toxin-producing E.
How does Shiga toxin make you sick?
But swallowing even a few cells of the type of E. coli that makes Shiga toxin can make us very, very ill. Shiga toxin damages blood vessels in the intestines, causing bloody diarrhea. If Shiga toxin gets into the bloodstream it can cause kidney failure.
What are E coli Shiga toxins?
Escherichia coli Shiga toxins are in the same toxin family as that produced by Shigella dysenteriae type 1. 1 The main types of Shiga toxins produced by E coli are ST-I and ST-II.
What is the Quest Diagnostics Shiga toxins test?
The Quest Diagnostics Shiga Toxins, EIA with Reflex to E coli O157 Culture test begins with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that detects Shiga toxins from both O157 and non-O157 STEC strains. Quest Diagnostics performs E coli O157 Culture, at an additional charge, on all samples that are positive for Shiga toxin.
What does a positive E coli O157 culture result mean?
For specimens with reflex E coli O157 culture, a positive result indicates the presence of E coli O157. A negative result indicates infection from an agent other than E coli O157.
What is the CPT code for Shiga toxin EIA?
If Shiga Toxin, EIA is Detected, then Escherichia coli O157, Culture will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code (s): 87046). If Shiga Toxin, EIA is Detected, then Escherichia coli O157, Culture will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code (s): 87046).
