But What About Dogs and E coli?
Abstract & commentary
Synopsis: In England, the first documented case of transmission of E coli 0157:H7 from a dog to a human has been reported.
Source: ProMED-mail post; www.pro-medmail.org. Accessed May 8, 2001.
The first documented case of transmission of E coli 0157:H7 from a dog to a human has been reported in England. The dog was elderly, incontinent of both urine and stool, and described as "largely immobile." He had been kindly taken in by a family 2 months earlier. Their 3-year-old child developed bloody diarrhea and subsequently required hospitalization with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Fecal samples from the dog were positive for E coli 0157. The case probably would not have come to light except that the family is vegetarian, raising suspicions of an atypical source. Although the report did not allude to this, one wonders if the dog’s enteric infection contributed to his overall weakened and incontinent condition.
Comment by Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
How the dog acquired E coli 0157 is a matter of speculation. During the 2 months he lived with the family, he was primarily fed a commercially-prepared dry dog food, which according to the manufacturer is heated and sterilized. Whether it was fed raw eggs or table scraps, such as undercooked hamburger meat, before being taken in by the family is not known. Dogs fed table scraps or undercooked meat may be at risk for acquisition of E coli 0157.
Dr. Kemper is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford University, Division of Infectious Diseases, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Redwood City, Calif.
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