Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a potentially life-threatening complication, most often caused by the action of the Shiga toxin produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (in particular E. coli O157: H7 - STEC O157).

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessed the incidence of HUS as a function of age, identified risk factors for HUS development and estimated the frequency of death in patients infected with STEC O157.

Infections caused by Escherichia coli O157: H7 and all cases of HUS were reported by 8 participating centers in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network from 2000 to 2006. For each case of STEC infection O157 and HUS required the reporting of demographics and clinical outcomes. During surveillance, the proportion of STEC O157 infections against which HUS has developed has been determined.

A total of 3464 cases of infection caused by STEC O157 were recorded during the period indicated; 218 people (6.3%) developed an HUS. Most often, the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome was observed in the context of infection with STEC O157 in children under 5 years of age (15.3%). The mortality rate was 0.6% in all patients infected with STEC O157 and 4.6% in patients who developed HUS. Whether or not the patient developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, the highest mortality rate from infection caused by Escherichia coli O157: H7 strains was recorded in patients aged 60 years and over.. Thus, 12 patients (3.1%) out of 390 people aged 60 and over died from an infection caused by STEC O157, including 5 patients (33.3%) out of 15 people with HUS and 7 patients ( 1.9%) without gus. In the group of children under 5 years of age, deaths were reported in 4 patients (3.0%) among patients who developed HUS and in 2 patients (0.3%) without HUS. It turned out that there was an increased risk of developing HUS after an infection caused by E. coli O157: H7, has been reported in young children and women.

Thus, the epidemiological study carried out confirms the recommendations on the earliest and most active tactics of taking charge of young children and elderly patients when they develop an infection caused by strains Escherichia coli O157: H7.