荔枝视频

Research conducted by 荔枝视频 scientists informed care when suddenly hundreds of children were sick from exposure to a severe strain of E. coli. 

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea. One in five infected children experience life-threatening complications. In the summer of 2023, a large STEC outbreak occurred at several 荔枝视频 daycare centres. 

鈥淭his outbreak resulted in 285 children becoming infected. STEC infections can quickly lead to serious health problems that can affect children for life,鈥� says , MD, emergency department physician and senior investigator on the study. 鈥淎lberta has one of the highest incidence rates of STEC infection in North America. We had been studying this infection and its treatment for years. When the outbreak happened, we knew that daily laboratory monitoring and treating dehydration could prevent complications and potentially save lives.鈥� 

STEC care process appreciated by young patient's family

Daily visits to the (ACH) became routine for the Hull family.

鈥淲e were extremely impressed at the efficiency of the process and the personal care we received,鈥� says Kirrily Hull. Her son, Hank, was three years old when he tested positive for STEC. 鈥淗ank鈥檚 blood was taken and analyzed daily. Each time a doctor would go over the results with us. The care process was organized, and everyone knew what needed to be done. We were very thankful for this.鈥�

For some children, the tests indicated that complications were beginning to occur before they became obvious, clinically. Those children would be admitted to hospital and monitored for development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can impact many organs and often results in kidney failure requiring dialysis. Unfortunately, one to three per cent of children with HUS die. 

鈥淎t the peak of the outbreak, 30-40 children needed daily monitoring. Because of the protocols we had developed based on our ongoing STEC research, we were able to rapidly implement them to prevent severe illness,鈥� says , MD, PGME'15, emergency department physician and first author on the study. 鈥淲hen a blood test detected early changes and warning signs of HUS, we admitted the child to hospital before they became critically ill.鈥�

Published in , the authors reported that, overall, 40 children were hospitalized, 21 developed HUS and nine required dialysis. The number of children who developed HUS was less than half of what would typically occur in an outbreak of this size. 

STEC research leads to protocol change

鈥淗istorically, with STEC infections, we gave families a list of things to monitor for and told them to come back to the ED (emergency department) if any of the symptoms worsened,鈥� says Freedman. 鈥淗owever, we鈥檝e learned that these symptoms and signs do not become apparent until HUS fully develops. Performing daily laboratory monitoring ensured that all kids with evolving disease were identified before complications occurred.鈥� 

The researchers add the response required a co-ordinated effort by several 荔枝视频 hospitals.  

鈥淚 know many families who are very grateful for the care their children received. Without the STEC expertise that exists here in 荔枝视频 I believe the outcomes would have been different for a lot of kids,鈥� says Hull.

Hull has become a patient-partner to promote awareness of STEC and advocate for system improvements. Hank has fully recovered; however, his younger sister continues to deal with health complications from STEC infection. 

鈥淏ecause of the ongoing research, we were in a position to provide world-class care. And it made a difference,鈥� says Freedman.

The study was supported by Freedman鈥檚 鈥檚 Professorship in Child Health and Wellness.