Increased Recognition of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin–Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> Infections in the United States During 2000–2010: Epidemiologic Features and Comparison with <i>E. coli</i> O157 Infections

Abstract

Improved understanding of the epidemiologic features of non-O157 STEC infections can inform food safety and other prevention efforts. To detect both O157 and non-O157 STEC infections, clinical laboratories should routinely and simultaneously test all stool specimens submitted for diagnosis of acute community-acquired diarrhea for O157 STEC and for Shiga toxin and ensure that isolates are sent to a public health laboratory for serotyping and subtyping.