[Role of the Shiga toxin in the hemolytic uremic syndrome]

Medicina (B Aires). 2006:66 Suppl 3:11-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

In the last years, infection associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and subsequent Hemolitic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) became relevant as a public health since it was considered as one of the most important emergent patogen present in the food contaminated by cattle feces. STEC infection may be asymptomatic or begins with a watery diarrhea that may or may not progress to bloody diarrhea (hemorrhagic colitis) and HUS. In Argentina, HUS is the most common pediatric cause of acute renal insufficiency and the second cause of chronic renal failure. Up to now, STEC infection lacks of known effective treatment strategies that diminish risk of progression to HUS. The mechanisms by which Shiga toxin (Stx) induce HUS may help to find strategies to prevent or ameliorate HUS. In this article, recent progress that has contributed to understanding the disease pathogenesis of STEC is reviewed. New strategies to prevent further uptake of Shiga from the gut, either during the diarrheal phase or once HUS has developed are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Escherichia coli Infections / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / physiopathology
  • Escherichia coli Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / microbiology*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / microbiology
  • Shiga Toxins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Shiga Toxins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Vaccines
  • Shiga Toxins