The risk of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Children with gastrointestinal infections caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 are at risk for the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Whether antibiotics alter this risk is unknown.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 71 children younger than 10 years of age who had diarrhea caused by E. coli O157:H7 to assess whether antibiotic treatment in these children affects the risk of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome and to assess the influence of confounding factors on this outcome. Estimates of relative risks were adjusted for possible confounding effects with the use of logistic-regression analysis.

RESULTS:

Among the 71 children, 9 (13 percent) received antibiotics and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome developed in 10 (14 percent). Five of these 10 children had received antibiotics. Factors significantly associated with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome were a higher initial white-cell count (relative risk, 1.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.5), evaluation with stool culture soon after the onset of illness (relative risk, 0.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.8), and treatment with antibiotics (relative risk, 14.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.9 to 70.7). The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the 9 children who received antibiotics and the 62 who did not receive antibiotics were similar. In a multivariate analysis that was adjusted for the initial white-cell count and the day of illness on which stool was obtained for culture, antibiotic administration remained a risk factor for the development of the hemolytic uremic syndrome (relative risk, 17.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.2 to 137).

CONCLUSIONS:

Antibiotic treatment of children with E. coli O157:H7 infection increases the risk of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

• Authors: C S Wong, S Jelacic, R L Habeeb, S L Watkins, P I Tarr
• Journal: The New England journal of medicine (N Engl J Med) Vol. 342 Issue 26 Pg. 1930-6 (Jun 29 2000) ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10874060 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Cephalosporins
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cephalosporins (adverse effects)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diarrhea (complications, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Escherichia coli Infections (complications, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Escherichia coli O157
• Feces (microbiology)
• Female
• Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (etiology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Risk
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (adverse effects)