Anti-Shiga toxin 2 antibodies in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 infected patients may predict hemolytic uremic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An outbreak of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) producing enterohemorrhagic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli O104:H4 infection in May 2011 in Germany caused enterocolitis and an unprecedented high 22% rate of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We hypothesized that anti-Stx2 IgM or IgG titers might predict HUS development.

METHODS: Thirty-two patients infected with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 (HUS: n = 23; non-HUS: n = 9) were retrospectively screened for anti-Stx2 IgM/IgG and matched with clinical data regarding HUS development, fever, superinfection, dialysis, neurological symptoms, intensive care, antibiotic treatment, and plasmapheresis.

RESULTS: Only HUS patients showed a prominent Stx2-specific humoral response in the early acute phase. Despite a strong trend towards prediction of HUS development, statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between high IgM/IgG titers and further key clinical parameters such as fever, superinfection, neurological symptoms, antibiotic treatment, and plasmapheresis.

CONCLUSIONS: Anti-Stx2 antibodies seem to accompany or even precede HUS development.