Sir, the present outbreak of Escherichia coli serotype O104: H4 in Europe is an important new emerging infection [1, 2]. In addition to enteric pathology, the present infection also significantly induces the hemolysis. Indeed, some kinds of E. coli, especially for O157 can result in hemolysis and usually accompanied with renal disorder forming the specific syndrome called hemolytic-uremic syndrome [3]. Focusing on the first report E. coli O104: H4 infection by Bae et al., the hemolytic blood picture could be seen [4]. Nevertheless, several cases in present outbreak also present hemolysis. This reflects the possibility to induce hemolysis of this specific kind of E. coli that is similar to that of well-known E. coli O157. Nevertheless, there are still many remain questions to be answer on the hemolysis in E. coli O104: H4 infection including (a) the ultrastructure of the E. coli O104: H4 and relationship to hemolysis and (b) the clinical and treatment of this condition.
References
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