Risk factors for sporadic infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important cause of foodborne disease associated with clinical outcomes ranging from mild intestinal discomfort to haemolytic uremic syndrome, including end-stage renal and death. The objective this study was synthetize evidence on risk factors for sporadic STEC infection by meta-analysing available case-control studies. Suitable scientific articles were identified through a systematic literature search, assessed methodological quality. From each study, odds ratios (OR) extracted along characteristics such as the population, design, statistical model used factor hierarchy. Mixed-effects meta-analytical models adjusted population type appropriate data partitions. quality assessment stage passed 29 studies investigating conducted between 1986 2013. These provided 493 ORs meta-analysis. main foreign travel, contact ill people, farm animals or their environment, food consumption exposure untreated drinking water. Concerning exposures, meta-analysis confirmed known factors, beef (especially when undercooked) other meats (barbecued meat, donner kebab meat casseroles), processed ready-to-eat composite foods, raw milk children. Newly vehicles chicken fish. Produce (fruits/vegetables) not infection.