What is Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli infection?
• Escherichia coli (E.coli) are bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of people and animals. Many types of E. coli are harmless. • Some types of E. coli can produce toxins (Shiga toxins). These are called Shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC) and are sometimes called verocytoxin producing E. coli (VTEC). There are various strains of STEC, e.g., E. coli O111 and E. coli O157. • STEC infections cause a diarrhoeal illness. • Sometimes STEC infections can result in Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS). • HUS is a severe condition characterised by kidney failure, bleeding and anaemia. It can sometimes be fatal.
