Isolation in Italy of a verotoxin-producing strain of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from a child with hemolytic-uraemic syndrome

Abstract

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated for the first time in Italy from a child with hemolytic-uremic syndrome and his asymptomatic sister. Both parents remained asymptomatic, and neither had evidence of this infection. The source of the infection was not identified, but the children had eaten ground beef during the 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms.