Cardiovascular disease after Escherichia coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis

Background — Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a common cause of acute bacterial gastroenteritis, which can be devastating in outbreak situations. The researchers studied the risk of cardiovascular disease following such an outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario, in May 2000.

Methods — In this community-based cohort study, the researchers linked data from the Walkerton Health Study (2002–2008) to Ontario's large healthcare databases. The study included 4 groups of adults: 3 groups of Walkerton participants (153 with severe gastroenteritis, 414 with mild gastroenteritis, 331 with no gastroenteritis) and a group of 11 263 residents from the surrounding communities that were unaffected by the outbreak. The primary outcome was a composite of death or first major cardiovascular event (admission to hospital for acute myocardial infarction, stroke or congestive heart failure, or evidence of associated procedures). The secondary outcome was first major cardiovascular event censored for death. Adults were followed for an average of 7.4 years.

Results — During the study period, 1174 adults (9.7%) died or experienced a major cardiovascular event. Compared with residents of the surrounding communities, the risk of death or cardiovascular event was not elevated among Walkerton participants with severe or mild gastroenteritis (hazard ratio [HR] for severe gastroenteritis 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–1.43, mild gastroenteritis HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42–0.98). Compared with Walkerton participants who had no gastroenteritis, risk of death or cardiovascular event was not elevated among participants with severe or mild gastroenteritis.

Interpretation — There was no increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease in the decade following acute infection during a major E. coliO157:H7 outbreak.