September 2006

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: An Emerging Health Risk

SAMIYA RAZZAQ, M.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused primarily by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7. The most common cause of acute renal failure in children, hemolytic uremic syndrome also can occur in adults. Characteristic features of the syndrome are microangiopathic anemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. Although the presentation of this syndrome is diverse, the classic prodromal illness is bloody diarrhea following ingestion of hamburger meat contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the most common mode of infection in the United States. Children with hemolytic uremic syndrome generally present with gastroenteritis complaints (e.g., abdominal pain or tenderness, nausea or vomiting, fever, anemia); affected adults may be asymptomatic. Complications from hemolytic uremic syndrome can include intussusception, chronic renal failure, and seizures in severe cases. Because an incubation period of approximately one week occurs between the start of diarrhea and the onset of hemolytic uremic syndrome, physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion; early laboratory testing is important to diagnose and manage this syndrome. Obtaining a complete blood count and stool culture and performing Shiga toxin testing are the first of a series of tests that may help diagnose hemolytic uremic syndrome. (Am Fam Physician 2006;74:991-6, 998. Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians.)Continue Reading A great new article on Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Seven cases of E. coli infections are being investigated by the Manitowoc County Health Department.

The department is waiting for test results from a state lab to determine the source of the infections, said Amy Wergin to the Manitowoc Herald Times-Reporter. Wergin is the county public health nurse manager.

"We are interviewing people and asking…

Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has successfully represented hundreds of E. coli victims, have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Weber County residents William and J. Corey Cohron and their two young sons against Wendy’s.

The complaint, which was filed in Weber County Superior Court, seeks compensation for the family’s significant medical-related expenses…

Farms in the Salinas Valley are being evaluated to determine why leafy greens grown in the area, often called the "Salad Bowl of the World" are linked with E. coli.

Officials say lettuce and spinach grown in that area  has been identified in eight of 19 outbreaks of the virulent E. coli O157:H7 strain since…

At least five more people, two of them children, have contracted E. coli from an unknown source in Weber County.

No common food source has been linked to the bacteria, though officials say there seem to be no ties to an outbreak that occurred June 27-30. During that outbreak, at least five other people contracted…

A cluster of E. coli infections have been reported locally in the past week, Manitowoc County Health Officer James Blaha told the Herald Times-Reporter.

The source of the infections has yet to be determined, Blaha said. He said there has been an increase in reported E. coli cases statewide.

E. coli is a bacteria that…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 1999 that 73,000 cases of E. coli O157:H7 occur each year in the United States. Approximately 2,000 people are hospitalized, and 60 people die as a direct result of E. coli O157:H7 infections and complications. The majority of infections are thought to be foodborne-related, although E. coli O157:H7 accounts for less than 1% of all foodborne illness.

Marler Clark has been involved in litigation stemming from the largest E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks across the country since 1993.  Some of those cases include lawsuits against the following:

Continue Reading E. coli Litigation

Some of New York state’s apple cider producers still don’t have equipment to treat their product to prevent E. coli contamination.

The state Legislature a few months ago granted an extension of a deadline requiring cider be pasteurized or treated with ultraviolet light.

Initially, all cider sold in the state was to be treated started…

A report on the need for cleanliness in the meat production chain, from farm to plate, to control the potential scourge of E coli was published yesterday, commissioned by red-meat promotion organization Quality Meat Scotland.

However, the report contains no recommendations on any part of the process, notably the problem of injuries to farmers and…

Health inspectors have closed the doors of George’s Burgers and Subs on Henderson Highway after it failed to comply with health orders made in the wake of the city’s outbreak of E. coli. The burger joint is one of four restaurants in the city connected to the outbreak, which has made 40 people sick…