摘要：Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important cause of gastrointestinal illness in developed c ountries, and outbreaks have been reported in many countries inc luding Australia.1,2STEC infection c an cause bloody diarrhoea, with 3–7 per cent of sporadic c ases developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition, defi ned by thrombocy topenia, anaemia and renal failure, whic h can result in death.1,2,3In Australia, the number of reported STEC cases, was 38, 48 and 52 in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively.4South Australia reported 38 (73%) of the 52 cases in 2002. Current surveillance STEC practic es in South Australia involves screening of all bloody stools with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the toxin genes, which contributes to the number of cases reported from this state. Samples positive for toxin are tested for virulence and serotype genes.5This procedure complements standard epidemiological practices
