Epidemiology

E. coli O157 is the most common serogroup of STEC causing infections in the UK.

In England and Wales, almost 50% of STEC O157 cases are in children under 16 and rates of infection are highest in children under 5 years with the peak incidence in the 1-4 age group
O157 is the only strain that can be routinely tested for in the majority of UK diagnostic laboratories by current methods. The use of PCR methods by diagnostic/local laboratories is increasing, leading to increased detection of non-O157 cases (confirmed by the PHE GBRU reference laboratory)

STEC O157 and non-O157 (such as O104, O26 and O55) have been associated with outbreaks of HUS in the UK and internationally

Reference:

• PHE (2019). Recommendations for the Public Health Management of Gastrointestinal Infections