Seasonality and other epidemiological features of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and E. coli O157 isolates in Scotland.

The main objective was to determine whether there was seasonality in presentation of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in children and adults, and compare this with the reporting of E. coli O157. The data came from Scotland, examining admissions during 1980-95 and E. coli isolates 1984-95. Seasonality was sought by fitting a sine curve to monthly or four-weekly data throughout the year. Seasonality was present for HUS and E. coli isolates in patients under 15 years of age but not in those above that age. The highest point of the sine curve was in July/August but there was a high plateau from June to September. The timing was similar to other diarrhoeal disease. This is an epidemiological study, the purpose being to clarify the seasonal features of HUS. E. coli infection is an important food hazard and a sound knowledge of the epidemiology, could lead to optimal control. The Scottish geographic distribution is illustrated.