Hemolytic Uremic syndrome by E. coli

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) refers to an acute syndrome characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and severe renal failure.

HUS develops when the toxin penetrates the intestine wall and passes into bloodstream. HUS usually preceded by diarrhea in 90% of cases, bloody in 75%. HUS is one of the most common causes of acute renal failure in children.

In children, Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 is the leading cause of HUS. The infection is acquired by eating undercooked re meat, no- pasteurized milk or milk products, water, fruits or vegetables.

E. coli O157:H7 is part of the normal bacterial flora in the intestines of healthy cattle and contamination of beef can occur during the slaughtering process.

The risk is highest in ground beef because the surface of the contaminated slabs of beef gets mixed internally throughout the meat during the process of making ground beef and accounts for the majority of food-borne infections.
Hemolytic Uremic syndrome by E. coli