Beersheba babies hospitalized at Soroka with rare infection

Stool samples were taken, and they were found to be infected with E. coli bacteria.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba (photo credit: PANET.CO.IL)
Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba
(photo credit: PANET.CO.IL)
Two babies aged seven and 10 months who suffer from a rare syndrome are hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba after suffering from diarrhea in the neonatal department. Stool samples were taken, and they were found to be infected with E. coli bacteria.
Both were found to be suffering from the rare hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which is characterized by progressive renal failure associated with microangiopathic (non-immune, Coombs-negative) hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.
HUS is the most common cause of acute kidney injury in children and is increasingly diagnosed in adults. Most cases are preceded by an episode of infectious, sometimes bloody, diarrhea acquired as a food-borne illness or from a contaminated water supply caused by E. coli bacteria.
Some other infants at Soroka were found to have suffered from diarrhea but recovered. A Health Ministry epidemiological investigation disclosed that some of the infants lived in a kibbutz in the area. The animal corner in the kibbutz that is a popular venue for children was found to have sanitary problems.
Samples were taken from animals as well. Staff were instructed on how to improve hygiene.
The mini-zoo was temporarily closed and kibbutz leaders were told to send any child with diarrhea for a doctor’s exam.