Emerg Infect Dis

eid

Emerging Infectious Diseases

1080-60401080-6059

Centers for Disease Control

11747741

2631906

Research Article

Contact with farming environment as a major risk factor for Shiga toxin (Vero cytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli O157 infection in humans.

O'Brien

S. J.

sobrien@phls.org.ukAdak

G. K.

Gilham

Gastrointestinal Diseases Division, Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, England, United Kingdom.

Nov-Dec2001

7610491051

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.