[An old female case of vero-cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O-157: H7 infection]

It is well known that verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O-157 : H7 infection can be severe in elderly persons. We report an 82-year-old female case of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O-157 : H7 infection. She was admitted to our hospital because of bloody diarrhea. The hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) was not occurred, but systemic edema, ascites, pleural effusion and pulmonary edema with hypoxyemia gradually appeared. Treatment with human immunoglobulin in addition to fluid therapy, antibiotics, diuretics and human serum albumin resulted in dramatic improvement. Management of complications such as sepsis and electrolyte disturbance caused by this infection was considered to be important in elderly patients.