Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli as a possible etiological agent of chronic diarrhea.

Abstract

We identified Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) as the likely etiologic pathogen for chronic diarrhea in 2 patients, 1 of whom was immunocompromised with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and 1 of whom was immunocompetent. Both were treated with antibiotics, and neither developed systemic complications of the infection. These cases suggest that STEC infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea.