Hemorrhagic Colitis

Hemorrhagic colitis is characterized by grossly bloody diarrhea and typically follows 2-7 days after Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) is ingested. Hemorrhagic colitis is typically caused by shiga toxin produced by E. coli O157:H7 binding to epithelial cells, such as those that line the intestines. After the E. coli attach, they produce shiga toxin which is then released from the bacterium and transported inside the host cell. Once inside the host cell, shiga toxin interferes with protein synthesis which causes the cell to die, either through apoptosis or necrosis. This process of intestinal epithelial cell destruction caused by shiga toxin is called hemorrhagic colitis.

Watery diarrhea usually precedes the bloody diarrhea by one or two days. Other symptoms to look out for include:

• fatigue
• headache
• vomiting
• muscle pain
• fever (only in 5-20% of patients)
• irritability
• confusion.

Sources:

Bad Bug Book. 2001. Escherichia coli O157:H7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Online at http://www.foodsafety.gov/~mow/chap15.html.

Tarr PI, Neill MA. 2001. Escherichia coli O157:H7. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 303:3: 735-751.

---

TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY AT PRITZKER | RUOHONEN REVIEW YOUR E. COLI CASE, PLEASE SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL-FREE) OR EMAIL ATTORNEY FRED PRITZKER.

• Experienced

  Our law firm has represented victims of E. coli outbreaks involving ground beef, spinach and lettuce. We have also handled cases involving restaurants, including cases where health officials could not pinpoint the food served at the restaurant that was responsible for the illnesses. We also have represented the families of people who died from the complications of an E. coli infection, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

• Respected

  Our lawyers have gained a national reputation in this area and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TV stations and others. In recognition of their accomplishments, Pritzker | Ruohonen lawyers Fred Pritzker, Rich Ruohonen and Elliot Olsen have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics.

• Advocates

  For most of our clients, the goal of an E. coli lawsuit is not only just compensation, but also to send a message to food manufacturers, food retailers, restaurants and others that food safety matters. We support our clients in this and take measures to advocate for needed changes on the federal and state levels.