Prevalence and Transmission Factors of Shiga Toxin 0157:H7 in Pakistan; A Review

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is a definitive strain of the very commensal microbe Escherichia coli. It is a resident of the vertebrate gut with hundreds of microbial colonies that comprise the versatile gut microbiome. Stx is a toxin, which is a protein in nature that has evolved in such a way that it can specifically target a host cell and deliver a payload inside the target cell's cytosol. These pathogens can trigger complications such as thrombotic microangiopathy and acute kidney injury. It is transmitted by food consumed in raw form (salads, milk, and curd), floods, contaminated ponds, and petting farms. Ruminants, floods, zoo fauna, and untreated sewage water were found to be the primary sources of STEC reservoirs nationally. Alarmingly, there is a high prevalence of neonatal diarrhea in Pakistan. Antibiotics are devoured in STEC-caused infections, especially. Diarrhea, as they aggravate the toxin production. Plant extracts and chemical purification methods have shown potential for shiga toxins reduction. Application of biosafety measurements can significantly reduce the chances of infection in developing countries, including Pakistan.