Hemorrhagic colitis is characterized by grossly bloody diarrhea and typically follows 2-7 days after Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) is ingested. Hemorrhagic colitis is typically caused by shiga toxin produced by E. coli O157:H7 binding to epithelial cells, such as those that line the intestines. After the E. coli attach, they produce shiga toxin which is then released from the bacterium and transported inside the host cell. Once inside the host cell, shiga toxin interferes with protein synthesis which causes the cell to die, either through apoptosis or necrosis. This process of intestinal epithelial cell destruction caused by shiga toxin is called hemorrhagic colitis.
Watery diarrhea usually precedes the bloody diarrhea by one or two days. Other symptoms to look out for include:
- fatigue
- headache
- vomiting
- muscle pain
- fever (only in 5-20% of patients)
- irritability
- confusion.
Sources:
Bad Bug Book. 2001. Escherichia coli O157:H7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Online at http://www.foodsafety.gov/~mow/chap15.html.
Tarr PI, Neill MA. 2001. Escherichia coli O157:H7. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 303:3: 735-751.
TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY AT PRITZKER | OLSEN REVIEW YOUR E. COLI CASE, PLEASE SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL-FREE) OR EMAIL ATTORNEY FRED PRITZKER.
