Escherichia coli O104:H21

Escherichia coli O104:H21 is a rare serotype of Escherichia coli, a species of bacteria that lives in the lower intestines of mammals. The presence of many serotypes of E. coli in animals is beneficial or does not cause disease. However, E. coli O121 has been recognized as a pathogenic serotype of bacteria.

History
E. coli O104:H21 was discovered in 1982, when it caused an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea. It had infected hamburgers, and those effected had eaten these hamburgers not fully-cooked.

Effects
E. coli O104:H21 can cause outbreak of infection similar to that caused by E. coli O157:H7, the most common shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (SLTEC). SLTECs are the most well-known causes of gastrointestinal illness and diarrhea.

Treatment
The body usually rids itsself of harmful E. coli O104:H21 on its own within 5 to 10 days. Antibiotics should not be used, and neither should antidiarrheal agents such as loperamide.