Randomized, controlled trial of antibiotic therapy for Escherichia coli O157:H7 enteritis.

We undertook a prospective, controlled study to evaluate the effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in children with proven Escherichia coli O157:H7 enteritis on the duration fo symptoms, on fecal excretion of pathogen, and on the risk of progression to hemolytic-uremic syndrome. There was no statistically significant effect of treatment on progression of symptoms, fecal pathogen excretion, or the incidence of HUS (2/22 vs 4/25; p = 0.67). Our results suggest that a multicentric trial using rapid diagnostic methods to permit early randomization should be carried out.