[Acute gastroenteritis caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7].

We report a 48-year-old man admitted for watery diarrhea, high fever, chills and abdominal cramps. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 was isolated. This new, dangerous pathogen causes dysentery and complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. These complications can cause renal failure, neurological deficit and death. Recognition of E. coli O157:H7 infection is important since it causes a rare and dangerous condition. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case reported in Israel.