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Human Vero cytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 infection linked to birds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2005

O. O. EJIDOKUN ,
A. WALSH ,
J. BARNETT ,
Y. HOPE ,
S. ELLIS ,
M. W. SHARP ,
G. A. PAIBA ,
M. LOGAN ,
G. A. WILLSHAW  and
T. CHEASTY
O. O. EJIDOKUN
Affiliation:
Gloucestershire Health Protection Team, Cheltenham & Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
A. WALSH
Affiliation:
Gloucestershire Health Protection Team, Cheltenham & Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
J. BARNETT
Affiliation:
Gloucestershire Health Protection Team, Cheltenham & Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
Y. HOPE
Affiliation:
Tewkesbury Borough Council, Council Offices, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK
S. ELLIS
Affiliation:
Tewkesbury Borough Council, Council Offices, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK
M. W. SHARP
Affiliation:
Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Luddington, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK
G. A. PAIBA
Affiliation:
Veterinary Surveillance Strategy Team, New, Endemic and Zoonotic Disease Division, DEFRA, London, UK
M. LOGAN
Affiliation:
Microbiology Department, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire, UK
G. A. WILLSHAW
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, HPA Centre for Infections, London, UK
T. CHEASTY
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, HPA Centre for Infections, London, UK
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Abstract

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Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) infections are a threat to public health. VTEC O157 has been isolated from gulls but evidence of transmission to humans from birds has not been reported. We recount an incident of VTEC O157 infection affecting two sibling children who had no direct contact with farm animals. An outbreak control team was convened to investigate the source of infection, its likely mode of transmission, and to advise on control measures. Human and veterinary samples were examined and the human isolates were found to be identical to an isolate from a sample of bird (rook) faeces. Cattle, rabbit and environmental samples were negative. This report provides evidence that birds may act as intermediaries for human infection with VTEC O157.

Type
Short Report
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 134 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 421 - 423
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press