Escherichia coli O104:H21
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| Escherichia coli T. Escherich, 1885 |
Escherichia coli O104:H21 is a rare serotype of Escherichia coli, a species of bacteria that lives in the lower intestines of mammals.[1] The presence of many serotypes of E. coli in animals is beneficial or does not cause disease. However, E. coli O121 has been recognized as a pathogenic serotype of bacteria.
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[edit] History
E. coli O104:H21 was discovered in 1982, when it caused an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea. It had infected hamburgers, and those effected had eaten these hamburgers not fully-cooked.[2]
[edit] Effects
E. coli O104:H21 can cause outbreak of infection similar to that caused by E. coli O157:H7, the most common shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (SLTEC). SLTECs are the most well-known causes of gastrointestinal illness and diarrhea.[3]
[edit] Treatment
The body usually rids itsself of harmful E. coli O104:H21 on its own within 5 to 10 days. Antibiotics should not be used, and neither should antidiarrheal agents such as loperamide.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5602a2.htm Laboratory-Confirmed Non-O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. Coli, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed March 16, 2007
- ^ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm#What%20is%20Escherichia%20coli%20O157:H7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Last Accessed August 1, 2007
- ^ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00038146.htm Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis Attributable to Escherichia coli Serotype O104:H21, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed July 31, 2007
- ^ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm#What%20is%20Escherichia%20coli%20O157:H7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Last Accessed August 1, 2007
