Escherichia coli O157 can produce diarrhea as well as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In many parts of North America, E. coli O157 often is the second or third most commonly isolated enteric bacterial pathogens. Recently, intakes of fast food, including hamburgers have increased in Korea. Therefore, E. coli O157 infection in Korea are likely to be increased.

Stool samples from 317 pediatric diarrheal patients were analyzed by culture on sorbitol-MacConkey agar. Sorbitol-negative colonies were teated by E. coli O157 latex agglutination test.

Of the 317 specimens, one (0.3%) were E. coli O157:NM that not produced Shiga toxin. The 7 year old male patient who had complained of abdominal pain, vomiting and non-bloody diarrhea for 2 days. The patient was improved for 2 days after admission.

Only one (0.3%) of all fecal samples were isolated E. coli O157 that not produced Shiga toxin. Therefore, routine stool culture for the isolation of E. coli O157 was not likely to be neccessary so far.