Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control117477412631906Research ArticleContact with farming environment as a major risk factor for Shiga toxin (Vero cytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli O157 infection in humans.O'BrienS. J.sobrien@phls.org.ukAdakG. K.GilhamC.Gastrointestinal Diseases Division, Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, England, United Kingdom.Nov-Dec20017610491051

In a prospective, unmatched case-control study of sporadic Shiga toxin (Vero cytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infection in England, exposure to the farming environment emerged strongly as a risk factor (adjusted odds ratio = 2.45; 95% confidence intervals = 1.49-4.02; p=0.0004) posing further challenges and opportunities for prevention.