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- Title
An outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections associated with leaf lettuce consumption.
- Authors
Ackers M; Mahon BE; Leahy E; Goode B; Damrow T; Hayes PS; Bibb WF; Rice DH; Barrett TJ; Hutwagner L; Griffin PM; Slutsker L; Ackers, M L; Mahon, B E; Leahy, E; Goode, B; Damrow, T; Hayes, P S; Bibb, W F; Rice, D H
- Abstract
In July 1995, 40 Montana residents were identified with laboratory-confirmed Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection; 52 residents had bloody diarrhea without laboratory confirmation. The median age of those with laboratory-confirmed cases was 42 years (range, 4- 86); 58% were female. Thirteen patients were hospitalized, and 1 developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome. A case-control study showed that 19 (70%) of 27 patients but only 8 (17%) of 46 controls reported eating purchased (not home-grown) leaf lettuce before illness (matched odds ratio, 25.3; 95% confidence interval, 3.9-1065.6). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified a common strain among 22 of 23 isolates tested. Implicated lettuce was traced to two sources: a local Montana farm and six farms in Washington State that shipped under the same label. This outbreak highlights the increasing importance of fresh produce as a vehicle in foodborne illness. Sanitary growing and handling procedures are necessary to prevent these infections.
- Publication
Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1998, Vol 177, Issue 6, p1588
- ISSN
0022-1899
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1086/515323