In the summer of 1991 a large outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 associated diarrhea occurred in 6 Inuit communities in the Canadian Northwest Territories. The total population of these communities is 5,292. Of the 521 individuals who developed diarrhea, 152 (29%) were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on stool culture or positive by verotoxin analysis. Median age was 6 years. The attack rate for children < 1 year was 43% in the major affected community of Arviat. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) developed in 22 cases, and 2 patients died. Asymptomatic stool carriage of verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) 2-5 weeks after diarrheal illness was noted in 4/28 persons followed prospectively. Epidemic curves, case-control studies and phage type testing suggested person-to-person transmission. The original source of infection was not identified, though a food source was suspected. VTEC were detected in 6 food samples (minced beef and caribou) taken from retail outlets and homes. Primary prevention of infection through health education and promotion activities, as well as long-term follow-up of HUS survivors, are indicated in this population.

We undertook a case-control study to evaluate the renal health of survivors of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) from the 1991 Arctic epidemic of Escherichia coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis 4 years after the epidemic. Eighteen children who developed HUS during the 1991 epidemic and 18 age- and sex-matched controls from the same community who had uncomplicated gastroenteritis were compared in 1995 for height, weight, blood pressure, urinalysis, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), measured using continuous subcutaneous infusion of non-radioactive iothalamate. HUS survivors did not differ from controls in height, weight, systolic (HUS 118 mmHg, control 117 mmHg) or diastolic (HUS 64 mmHg, control 62 mmHg) blood pressures. Hematuria was detected more frequently in HUS survivors (11/18 vs. 4/18, P<0.05), but no child had proteinuria. Mean GFR did not differ between the two groups (HUS 159 ml/min per 1.73 m2, control 147 ml/min per 1.73 m2). Survivors of post-enteritic HUS from the 1991 Arctic E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak have excellent renal function 4 years after the epidemic.

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