Research on enterohaemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) including its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and development of diagnosis and treatment..

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1.Epidemiology : Survey for EHEC in cattle, especially calf, was conducted in Okayama and Sizuoka prefectures and we found that about 0.1-1.0% of calf tested were positive for EHEC O157. The isolates were tested for biochemical character, antimicrobial sensitivity test, and molecular analyzes including PFGE.A questionnaire survey on EHEC infection was also conducted for clinicians around Osaka prefecture.2.Pathogenesis : Several animal models such as mouse, rat and rabbit were established. Those experiments suggested that VT showed direct toxicity to brain as well as renal tubular cells.3.Diagnosis : Molecular genetical techniques such as DNA-probe and PCR methods were developed for EHEC detection. Latex-oriented lactofferin (an indicator for neutrophil) assay using diarrheal stool was applied for quick suspicion of EHEC infection. Some detection kits for VT and EHEC O157 were also evaluated. Thrombomodulin in sera was revealed to be an indicator for early recongnition of HUS.4.Treatment : It was shown that anti-VT antiserum prevented mouse from lethality due to VT.Effect of anti-microbial agents on VT-production by EHEC was examined.