Identification of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O117:H7 in men who have sex with men, England, November 2013 to August 2014

Euro Surveill. 2014 Oct 30;19(43):20946. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.43.20946.

Abstract

Between November 2013 and August 2014, nine cases of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O117:H7 VT1 were confirmed in adult men. Further investigation using semi-structured interviews revealed that eight cases were United Kingdom (UK)-born men who have sex with men (MSM) who had sexually acquired infection in the UK. Most were HIV-positive with high numbers of sexual partners. This behavioural profile resembles that associated with the recent rapid increase in other sexually acquired infections in MSM.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • England
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sexual Partners
  • Shiga Toxins / genetics
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / classification
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Unsafe Sex

Substances

  • Shiga Toxins