Audio conference on clinical management of haemolytic uremic syndrome and severe Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections, ECDC, 9 June 2011Archived

In the context of the ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that affects by now citizens from 13 EU member states, it is crucial not only to align the efforts regarding investigation and control of the outbreak but also to share knowledge among practitioners across Europe on the patho-physiological and clinical characteristics of infection caused by this unusual epidemic strain, and review patient management options.

Upon request from the Commission, ECDC invited nominated focal points of the EU Member States for clinical management of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), representatives of relevant learned societies, and representatives of the WHO and CDC to participate in a teleconference urgently convened on 3 June and held on 9 June 2011. The objectives were to discuss and clarify the clinical presentation of the STEC infected patients, diagnostic, prognostic, as well as therapeutic aspects of HUS, neurological and other severe complications, and reflect on which information tools could be provided by ECDC to further support timely exchange of appropriate practice.

The audioconference was a very successful opportunity for exchange of up-to-date information between the professional networks. It brought together 32 experts from 16 EU Member States and Switzerland , representatives from six learned societies, namely the DGfN, ERA-EDTA, ESICM, ESPID and ESCMID, together with delegates from ECDC, CDC, WHO EURO and WHO Geneva. Detailed information was offered by eminent German specialists in nephrology and intensive care on the severe clinical course of many of the patients in this outbreak. They shared their latest findings with experimental therapies currently under investigation in Germany. Participation to clinical data collection in an international electronic registry was offered by the German Society of Nephrology.

Since it is not within the regular ECDC remit to give advice on specific treatments – and especially not on experimental therapies – anyone who wants more detailed clinical guidance is referred to the national societies for nephrology. The most extensive amount of information (partly in English) can be found on the homepage of the German Society of Nephrology.

ECDC will foster extending the participation to this new clinical expert network to all Member States and review with the network what are the best technical support options to further facilitate sharing of clinical experience on appropriate care for this devastating disease.