Strong association between shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 and virulence genes stx2 and eae as possible explanation for predominance of serogroup O157 in patients with haemolytic uraemic syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and the simultaneous presence of the virulence genes stx2 and eae in STEC from patients with gastroenteritis. In Germany, the proportion of serogroup O157 is substantially higher among STEC isolates from patients with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) than among STEC isolates from patients with gastroenteritis. The reason for this is unknown. Independent of serogroup, the virulence genes stx2 and eae have been associated with severe disease. Data collected in 2000-2001 from a Germany-wide laboratory-based surveillance system for STEC-associated gastroenteritis in patients