Shiga toxin producing in human, cattle and foods. Strategies for detection and control

PADOLA, NORA L.; ETCHEVERRÍA, ANALÍA I.

Lausanne frontiers media s.a.

Lugar: Lausanne; Año: 2014 p. 107

978-2-88919-293-9

(STEC) is an important foodbornepathogen associated with both outbreaksand sporadic cases of human disease, ranging from uncomplicated diarrhoea tohaemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemolyticuraemic syndrome (HUS). STEC affectschildren, elderly and immuno-compromisedpatients. STEC is capable of producing Shigatoxin type 1 (Stx1), type 2 (Stx2) or both, encoded by stx1 and stx2 genes, respectively. These strains are likely to produce putativeaccessory virulence factors such as intimin(encoded by eae), an enterohaemolysin(EhxA) and an autoagglutinating proteincommonly associated with eae-negativestrains (Saa), both encoded by an enterohaemorrhagic plasmid. Several studies haveconfirmed that cattle are the principal reservoir of STEC (O157 and non-O157:H7 serotypes)and many of these serotypes have been involved in HUS and HC outbreaks in other countries. Transmission of STEC to humans occurs through the consumption of undercooked meat, vegetables and water contaminated by faeces of carriers and by person-to-person contact. Diagnostic methods have evolved to avoid selective diagnostics, currently using moleculartechniques for typing and subtyping of strains. Control is still a challenge, although there areanimal vaccines directed against the serotype O157:H7.