E COLI O157
WHAT IS ECO157?
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 or otherwise known as “EHEC O157” is also called as the “verocytotoxin” which produces “shiga toxin” and the end result is EcO157 (Islam, et al., 2014, p.1). The E coli O157 has been reported as a food-borne pathogen known world-wide. One of the harmful effects of E coli O157 is that it can create hemorrhagic colitis that carries severe sequelae such as the hemolytic uremic syndrome as the product of the “shiga toxin” that came from the organism that can act on the human kidney, intestine and other parenchymatous organs (Islam, et al., 2014, p.1). One of the identified carriers of E coli O157 is the cattle, being the natural reservoir of such bacteria. E coli O157 is one of the biggest sources for human infections and has become a major public health concern after its first outbreak in 1992 in America.
The spread of EcO157 starts with the cattle and had become the biggest concern for public health due to its ability to transmit EcO157 to humans in the form of contaminated foods and water that may contain the feces of the cattle. Studies show that there is a wide range of prevalence that may range from 0.1% to 62% of EcO157 among the cattle based on the global reports (Islam, et al., 2014, p.1).
EFFECTS AND TREATMENT OF ECO157
While the organism does not result to a clinical illness in their natural reservoir, it can produce clinical abnormalities among humans such as mild diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis (HC), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) (Islam, et al., 2014, p.1).
When a person has been infected with E coli O157, the person may have severe hemorrhagic diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Another harmful effect of the EcO157 is urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common type of nosocomial infection in both men and women (Rogers & Peterson, 2011). Although there is a little fever or none at all, such illness may be cured in five to 10 days. The best treatment for EcO157 among adults is by taking antibiotics.
PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF ECO157
There are possible ways to prevent the spread of EcO157 by washing hands thoroughly before preparing meals or eating food, after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and after having close contact with pets or going to farms and zoos. Cooking the meat thoroughly by reaching the temperature of at least 160 F/70 C will avoid the spread of EcO157, and to make sure that the meat is well-cooked (Emedicine Health, 2016). It is best to avoid drinking of raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products since it can cause EcO157. Both adults and children must avoid swallowing water from swimming pools, ponds, lakes, and streams. The best way to prevent cross contamination in food is by making sure that the table tops, counters, cutting boards, and utensils are thoroughly washed after having been in contact with raw meat (Emedicine Health, 2016).
References:
Emedicine Health (2016). E. coli: Escherichia coli 0157. Web. Retrieved on March 25, 2016 from
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/e_coli_escherichia_coli_0157h7_e_coli_0157h7/page9_em.htm.
Islam, Z., Musekiwa, A., Islam, K., Ahmed, S., Chowdhury, S. and Ahad, A. (2014). Regional
variation in the prevalence of E. coli 0157 in cattle: a meta-analysis and meta-regression
PLoS ONE 9(4), 1-15.
Rogers, M. C., & Peterson, N. D. (2011). E. coli Infections. New York, US: Nova.
