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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

TTP and E. coli Food Poisoning

Free consultation with an E. coli lawyer about TTP >>

Blood Clot TTPE. coli food poisoning can cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life-threatening disease closely related to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and sometimes referred to as adult HUS. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is diagnosed with a finding of combinations of the following:

  • microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (loss of red blood cells through destruction) where a blood smear shows schistocytes (fragmented part of a red blood cell)
  • thrombocytopenia (decrease of platelets in blood)
  • neurologic symptoms, often including cerebral edema (water in the brain) and seizures
  • fever
  • renal failure (kidney failure)

When E. coli food poisoning is the cause of TTP, the E. coli victim may have bloody diarrhea for a several days before symptoms of TTP become apparent. In some cases, the E. coli-TTP victim also experiences hematuria (red blood cells in the urine).

Whenever TTP-E coli food poisoning is suspected, both a stool sample and rectal swab should be tested for E. coli. If E. coli is found, further testing needs to be done to determine if it is E. coli O157:H7 (the most common pathogenic E. coli) or a less common E. coli (026, 0111, 0103, 0121, 045 or 0145). A recent Michigan E. coli outbreak linked to McNees Meats was caused by a rare O157 strain, E. coli O157:NM. 

To link the E. coli victim’s illness to an outbreak, it is also necessary to do testing on the DNA of the bacterium with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), which provides a genetic fingerprint of the E. coli. Every outbreak is caused by food or water contaminated with E. coli with a unique genetic fingerprint.

TTP-E. coli food poisoning can permanently damage multiple organs, including the kidneys, brain (caused by bleeding, swelling and/or herniation), and heart (generally myocardial necrosis). Our attorneys have helped TTP-E. coli victims and their families get the money needed to cover medical expenses and lost income, to provide some compensation for the pain and suffering endured, and to provide the family some compensation for all of the losses families suffer in these situations.

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