This is the case definition for shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
Laboratory confirmation of infection in a patient with or without clinical illness:
- isolation of verotoxin producing E. coli from appropriate specimen OR
- detection of verotoxin antigen or nucleic acid
Clinical illness in a person who is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case, which would include persons with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Clinical illness is characterized by diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. Illness may be complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP), or pulmonary edema with no other identifiable cause. Asymptomatic infections may also occur.
