| Author/Editor | Trkov, Marija; Andlovic, Alenka; Berce, Ingrid; Štorman, Alenka; Ravnik, Mateja; Paragi, Metka | |
| Title | Verotoksigeni sevi bakterije Escherichia coli, osamljeni v Sloveniji iz humanih vzorcev | |
| Translated title | Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from human samples in Slovenia | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Zdrav Vestn | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 81, št. 1 | |
| Publication year | 2012 | |
| Volume | str. 32-43 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | Background: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) are characterised by the ability to produce either one or both cytotoxins referred to as Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2). VTEC infection may result in life-threatening conditions such as haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Due to different methods of monitoring and identification of these bacteria in recent years, the existing data on reported cases of VTEC infections probably do not reflect reality. Our study of VTEC strains isolated in different regions of Slovenia, showed serogroups, major virulence factors and specific epidemiological data that can serve as a basis for further laboratory and epidemiological surveillance of VTEC infections. Methods: A total of 66 VTEC strains, isolated from stool samples of patients with diarrhoea from the year 1993 to 2009, were collected at NIPH (National Institute of Public Health). The data of patient's age and gender, onset of illness and clinical manifestation of disease were gathered. The serogroups of isolated strains were determined with antisera following manufacturer's instructions. The ability to produce verocytotoxins was tested using the reversed passive latex agglutination method. The presence of genes for intimin (eae), enterohaemolysin (ehxA) and verotoxins (vtx1 and vtx2) were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Infection with VTEC was encountered throughout the year, but most people were ill in the summer and autumn months. More than half of patients (57.6 %) were younger than five years. Collected VTEC strains belonged to serogroups O17, O26, O91, O103, O111, O113, O126, O128, O145, O148 and O157 (the most frequent were O157 and O26). A high percentage of VTEC strains showed the presence of intimin (86.4 %) and enterohaemolysin (86.4 %) genes. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters | |
| Descriptors | ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTIONS ESCHERICHIA COLI POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION VERO CELLS FECES |