SPORADIC CASES OF HAEMOLYTIC-URAEMIC SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH FAECAL CYTOTOXIN AND CYTOTOXIN-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI IN STOOLS

A cytotoxin active on Vero cells, less active on hela cells, and inactive on WI38 cells (Vero toxin [VT]) was detected in stool isolates of Escherichia coli from 8 of 15 sporadic cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Stools from 5 of these 8 patients were examined for faecal VT activity, and all were positive. Of the 7 of 15 patients who did not have VT + E. coli, 2 were positive for faecal VT, and a third (patient K) had strong...