Shiga Toxin Activatable by Intestinal Mucus in Escherichia coli Isolated from Humans: Predictor for a Severe Clinical Outcome

Abstract

Production of Stx2d(activatable) by the infecting STEC may predict a severe clinical outcome of the infection, with progression to hemolytic uremic syndrome. A prompt and comprehensive subtyping of stx genes in STEC isolates is necessary to alert the treating physician that a patient is at risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, even though the infecting STEC lacks eae.