Category Archives: HUS

UK – Investigators confirm cheese firm’s link to deadly E. coli outbreak

Posted on March 11, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

According to officials, the outbreak strain has been found at a farm that supplied the milk used to make unpasteurized cheese, which was linked to an E. coli outbreak in the UK.

In total, 36 confirmed and one probable Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O145 infections have been reported, with 29 in England and eight in Scotland since late July 2023, with most falling ill in November. The last reported primary patient had symptom onset on Dec. 23, 2023.

Twenty patients were female, with ages of all cases ranging from 7 to 81. Of the 31 patients with available information, 20 had bloody diarrhea, 15 were admitted to the hospital, and four also attended the hospital for their symptoms. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and later died.

An investigation into the outbreak by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the local authority, Public Health Scotland, Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) is nearly completed.

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Posted in APHA, E.coli O145, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, FSS, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli, UKHSA

Argentina – Two HUS-related deaths recorded in Argentinian province

Posted on February 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Two children have died in a province in Argentina with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) so far in 2024.

The Ministry of Health of Córdoba said that in the first four weeks of the year, seven cases of HUS and two deaths were reported, with no link between them. HUS is a severe complication associated with E. coli infections that causes kidney failure.

All patients were younger than 7; six were male, and one was female. Four lived in Córdoba, while one each came from Río Cuarto and San Justo. One case was from Buenos Aires but visited Córdoba.

All required care and hospitalization in different health centers. While five of them were discharged, the patients from Río Cuarto and Buenos Aires died.

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Posted in E.coli, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – The Science of Shiga Toxin-Producing (Verotoxin-Producing) Escherichia coli (STEC): An Ongoing One Health Journey toward Improved Health and Food Safety—Editorial Summary

Posted on February 10, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), also termed Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), is a human pathogen transmitted by food, water, animals, and their environment, and from one person to another [1]. The pathogen typically causes diarrheal illness but can also cause severe systemic disease, particularly in children and the elderly [1]. Virulence is associated with a type III secretion system, which enables injection of bacterial effector proteins into host cells [2]. In addition, Shiga toxins can damage the kidneys and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No specific treatment is available for STEC infection. To date, there have been advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and genomics of STEC, many of which are discussed in this Special Issue: “The Science of Shiga Toxin-Producing (Verotoxin-Producing) Escherichia coli (STEC): An Ongoing One Health Journey toward Improved Health and Food Safety”, with new data and novel methodologies and technologies to enhance our understanding. In the present day, dangerous outbreaks still occur. In September 2023, Canada experienced an outbreak linked to children daycares which resulted in 446 cases of the disease, with 38 children hospitalized and 23 diagnosed with HUS; fortunately, there were no fatalities [3].
In order to reduce the incident of human illness, a better understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of STEC infection is needed, with an emphasis on a One Health-approach solution to the disease. This Special Issue of Microorganisms gathers six articles addressing various aspects of STEC research, related to its pathogenesis and epidemiology (1–3), metagenomics (4), host interactions (4), and the persistence of STEC in the environment (5). Much of this work answers critical questions related to the complex interactions between pathogen, humans, animals, and the environment.
Future STEC research should focus on (i) strengthening integrated surveillance systems that encompass human, animal, and environmental monitoring to better understand STEC epidemiology; (ii) investigating host immune responses to different STEC strains to identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions; (iii) continued research on reservoirs and transmission dynamics; (iv) studying antimicrobial resistance patterns in STEC strains and understanding their implications for treatment and control measures, (v) investing in research for the development of vaccines against STEC to prevent infections or reduce the severity of disease; (vi) fostering international collaboration to share data, resources, and expertise for a more comprehensive global understanding of STEC . Scientific meetings, for example, the International Symposium on Shiga Toxin (Verocytoxin) Producing E. coli Infections (VTEC 2023) held in May 2023 in Banff, Alberta, Canada, should continue. This meeting is linked to the current Special Issue and enabled over 200 researchers from around the world to share data, collaborate, and develop solutions regarding STEC. The next triennial conference is scheduled in Aberdeen, the UK, in 2026.

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Posted in Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Food Microbiology Research, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Research, Shigatoxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Sporadic Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli-Associated Paediatric Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, France, 2012–2021

Posted on January 24, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Sante Publique

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from simple diarrhoea to bloody diarrhoea, and expose patients to an increased risk of serious complications, including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS due to STEC infection can occur at any age, although it mainly affects children under the age of 5 and the elderly. Over the past decade, several outbreaks of food-borne STEC-HUS have received wide media coverage. For children, this illness remains a significant public health risk in France. Although ruminants (cows, sheep, goats, etc.) are the main reservoir of STEC bacteria, it is difficult to determine the source of contamination in sporadic infections due to the multiple possible modes of contamination (consumption of contaminated food or water, contact with ruminants or their contaminated environment, contact with an infected person, etc.).

Identifying geographic areas where there is a higher risk of sporadic STEC-HUS will help to improve our knowledge of the environmental risk factors associated with the geographic disparities. This was the objective of the study carried out by Santé publique France, in partnership with the National Reference Centre (Centre national de référence, CNR) for E. coli, at the Institut Pasteur, and its associated laboratory at the Robert Debré Teaching Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Robert Debré), which was recently published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

CDC

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Posted in E.coli, Food Microbiology Research, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

UK – Update – Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd recalls Lancashire Cheese because of possible contamination with E. Coli – STEC

Posted on December 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd has taken the precautionary step of recalling various Lancashire Cheese products because the products might contain E. Coli.
The cheeses are sometimes sold as a full block or served as individual portions, it may have been provided as part of a hamper you’ve purchased or been gifted. In some cases it’s been sold as part of a charcutier grazing platter. It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product. If in doubt, consumers are advised to contact the retailer they bought their cheese from to find out if the cheese they have purchased is from the businesses and batches affected and, in the meantime, to not eat the product and ensure it is stored safely, fully wrapped and not in contact with other foods.
There is no change to the products affected, the update relates to a correction of the symptoms associated with E. Coli STEC.

Product details

Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire  
Pack size All sizes
Use by All use by dates of all batches purchased since 1 October 2023
Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire
Pack size All sizes
Use by All use by dates of all batches purchased since 1 October 2023
Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire
Pack size All sizes
Use by All use by dates of all batches purchased since 1 October 2023
Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire
Pack size All sizes
Use by All use by dates of all batches purchased since 1 October 2023

Risk statement

The products listed above might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC).

Symptoms caused by STEC organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome, (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.

Action taken by the company

Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed where the products were sold. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Ensure the products is thoroughly wrapped and does not come into contact with any other foods. Wash your hands, equipment, utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact with the product thoroughly.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada – E. coli O157 outbreak at Calgary daycare centres is over, Alberta Health Services says

Posted on November 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CBC

The E. coli outbreak that was declared in September and infected hundreds of kids at several Calgary daycares is now over, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said in a release on Tuesday.

A total of 11 sites, including six branches of the daycare service and five other locations that shared a central kitchen, have been declared outbreak-free, AHS said.

The outbreak left 38 kids and one adult hospitalized. Doctors diagnosed 23 patients with severe illness or hemolytic uremic syndrome while eight received peritoneal dialysis.

No fatalities were reported and all patients have been discharged from the hospital, AHS said, adding that 1,581 kids who were linked to the outbreak have now been cleared by doctors to return to daycare.

Central kitchen still closed

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Posted in E.coli, Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, food bourne outbreak, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Norway -Updated: Serious E. coli outbreak is not over.

Posted on November 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FHI

There is still a serious outbreak caused by the stomach and intestinal bacteria E. coli (EHEC), which in the worst case can cause acute kidney damage in children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Infection has so far been detected in 24 people. More than half of those infected are children under the age of 13, and 9 of these have developed serious illness.

The outbreak is still ongoing. Infection has so far been detected in 24 people. They fell ill from July to October 2023 and all are infected in Norway. They are aged 1 to 55 and live in Trøndelag (15), Viken (4), Vestfold and Telemark (2), Innlandet (1), Møre and Romsdal (1) and Nordland (1). 15 of the infected are under the age of 13. Nine of the children have developed the serious complication haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).

There is close cooperation between the Institute of Public Health, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Veterinary Institute and the concerned municipal chief medical officers. The outbreak bacterium has been found in hamburger, but other minced meat and stuffing products where the same raw materials have been used have also been withdrawn. The tracking work is complicated, and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority cannot rule out that more products may be withdrawn from the market. FHI clarifies that it is therefore very important that people follow the advice for good food hygiene. 

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Posted in EHEC, Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research -Nestlé outbreak drives record HUS high in France

Posted on November 1, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of children who suffered a potentially fatal complication of E. coli infection in France reached a record high in 2022, influenced by the Nestlé pizza outbreak, according to statistics recently released.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be a complication of E. coli infection, is a type of kidney failure that can result in lifelong, serious health problems and death.

In the outbreak caused by frozen Buitoni Fraîch’Up pizzas, 59 patients had a median age of 6. They fell ill between January and April 2022. Two children died.

Record HUS high
The 253 HUS cases in 2022 are the most since surveillance began in 1996. In 2021, 128 cases were reported. Santé publique France surveillance data on HUS only covers those younger than 15.

The sharp increase in incidence was partly driven by several outbreaks, including the one large Nestlé incident, but was also because of a lot of sporadic cases.

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Posted in E.coli, Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Haemolytic uraemic syndrome in children England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland: A prospective cohort study

Posted on October 29, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Cambridge Org

Abstract

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) caused by infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a relatively rare but potentially fatal multisystem syndrome clinically characterised by acute kidney injury. This study aimed to provide robust estimates of paediatric HUS incidence in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland by using data linkage and case reconciliation with existing surveillance systems, and to describe the characteristics of the condition. Between 2011 and 2014, 288 HUS patients were included in the study, of which 256 (89.5%) were diagnosed as typical HUS. The crude incidence of paediatric typical HUS was 0.78 per 100,000 person-years, although this varied by country, age, gender, and ethnicity. The majority of typical HUS cases were 1 to 4 years old (53.7%) and female (54.0%). Clinical symptoms included diarrhoea (96.5%) and/or bloody diarrhoea (71.9%), abdominal pain (68.4%), and fever (41.4%). Where STEC was isolated (59.3%), 92.8% of strains were STEC O157 and 7.2% were STEC O26. Comparison of the HUS case ascertainment to existing STEC surveillance data indicated an additional 166 HUS cases were captured during this study, highlighting the limitations of the current surveillance system for STEC for monitoring the clinical burden of STEC and capturing HUS cases.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli and the Hemolytic–Uremic Syndrome

Posted on October 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

The New England Journal of Medicine

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, Research, Shigatoxin, STEC, STEC E.coli