Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infection

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli(STEC) has been recognized as an emerging food-borne pathogen that causes bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS), especially in developed countries. As the specific therapy for STEC infection has not been developed, currently available medical therapy is inadequate to prevent life-threatening complications. Here are described the possibilities and problems of using and developing therapies such as antibiotics, Synsorb-Pk and humanized anti-Stx monoclonal antibody therapy. In conclusion, the prevention of primary infection is thought to be the best way to prevent the life-threatening complications caused by STEC, and second way is identification as early as possible.