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Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine logoLink to Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
letter
. 2012 Oct-Dec;34(4):407–408. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.108241

Psychosis and E. coli Infection: A Forgotten Issue

Viroj Wiwanitkit 1,
PMCID: PMC3662150  PMID: 23723561

Sir,

The outbreak of Escherichia coli infection from Germany that is presently widespread in many countries is a really important medical problem. The well-known intestinal manifestation and its complication, hemolytic uremic syndrome, are well recognized. However, the psychiatric problems due to the infection are mentioned rarely. Indeed, the E. coli infection can have a psychotic manifestation. This can be the result of neurological involvement, meningitis.[1] In addition, the use of certain antibiotics in the treatment of the infection can also induce acute psychotic symptoms.[2,3] As the psychosis can be an uncommon first clinical presentation of a new case in a new setting, it is wise to think of the E. coli infection as a differential diagnoses in the present situation of widespread E. coli epidemic.

REFERENCES

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Articles from Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine are provided here courtesy of Indian Psychiatric Society South Zonal Branch

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