what causes shiga toxin
When Shiga toxin is released from an E. coli O157:H7 bacterium, it can translocate to organs other than the digestive tract such as the kidneys and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) .
These tests detect the presence of disease-causing (pathogenic) Escherichia coli that produce Shiga toxins. E. coli bacteria commonly occur in nature and they are a necessary component of the digestive process in humans and most other mammals.
Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Infection Facts. Escherichia coli, or E. coli for short, is a very common bacterium. There are hundreds of different strains of E. coli. Some are harmless while others cause serious illness.