[Predictive indicators for progression to severe complications(hemolytic-uremic syndrome and encephalopathy) and their prevention in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection].

The treatment of infection with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli(EHEC) aims for early prediction and prevention of severe complications such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome, encephalopathy and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Factors related to the complications are divided into three categories; risk factors or predisposition, predictors, and indicators of severity and outcome. Risk factors for complications include two extreme ages, infection with verotoxin 2 producing E. coli, positive stool culture for EHEC, use of antimotility drug, use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Predictors for complications include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea development of high fever, change of consciousness, urinal protein and/or occult blood, abrupt increase of white blood cell count, urinal NAG, alpha 1 microglobulin, beta 2 microglobulin, low osmolar urine, high thrombomodulin level, marked thickening of intestinal wall, increased brightness of kidney in ultrasound sonography. No preventive treatment for these complications is proven except SYNSORB-pk which is expected to effectively aborb verotoxin in the intestine.