Abstract

MILIWEBSKY, E. et al. Prolonged fecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli among children attending day-care centers in Argentina. Rev. argent. microbiol. [online]. 2007, vol.39, n.2, pp.90-92. ISSN 0325-7541.

In this report we describe the detection and duration of fecal shedding of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and non-O157 in symptomatic and asymptomatic cases during four events occurred among children in day-care centers in Argentina. In each event, the cases were identified among children, family contacts and staff members of the Institution. The isolates were characterized by pheno-genotyping and subtyping methods. The STEC fecal shedding was prolonged and intermittent. Strains O157:H7 (1^st event); O26:H11 (2^nd event); O26:H11 (3^rd event) and O145:NM (4^th event) were shed during 23-30, 37, 31 and 19 days, respectively. Considering the possibility of STEC intermittent long-term shedding, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals should be excluded from the Institution until two consecutive stool cultures obtained at least 48 h apart, test negative.

Keywords : Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli; Prolonged fecal shedding; Children day-care centers.

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