Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Malta

Abstract

E coli O157:H7 infection causes a wide spectrum of disease ranging from asymptomatic carriage to severe disease leading to death. Typical disease includes a non-bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis, HUS and thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura. While the incubation period is commonly 3-4 days, it can range from one to eight days. In this article the author describes the epidemiology, the clinical features and the microbiology of the infection, whilst giving a short view of the local situation.