First isolation in Argentina of a highly virulent Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O145:NM from a domestic cat

Abstract

An asymptomatic household cat may harbour the high virulent STEC strain, such as O145:NM, the second most frequently STEC serotype associated with HUS in Argentina. Companion animals are probably exposed to the same sources as the humans. More studies are needed to establish dogs and cats as sources of infection in the epidemiological cycle of infections caused by STEC strains, and to develop effective control strategies for this pathogen.