EHEC patients need donor kidney

EHEC epidemic aggravates the lack of donor kidney

13/06/2011

The EHEC epidemic will continue to resonate long after it fades away. For many EHEC patients, the kidneys were so severely damaged by the severe EHEC symptoms that those affected need a donor kidney - but donor organs are scarce. Around 8,000 people are currently waiting nationwide for a donor kidney.

Especially in EHEC patients suffering from the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the kidneys were often so badly damaged in the course of the disease that they need a donor kidney as soon as possible. The already existing lack of donor organs has further exacerbated this. In addition, many EHEC infected suffer from severe neurological disorders, which are slow to decline even after surviving disease and „possible permanent damage in the nervous system“ conditional, according to the German Neurological Society. Overall, those affected will have to contend with their consequences long after the current EHEC epidemic subsides.

100 EHEC patients need a donor kidney
In around 100 EHEC patients, the kidneys were damaged so severely in the course of the current epidemic, „that they need a donor organ or need lifelong continuous dialysis“, explained the SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach „Picture on Sunday“. Those affected will continue to suffer the consequences of the disease long after the end of the current EHEC crisis. In addition, according to the experts, the already existing bottleneck in the required donor organs is tightening. According to the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation, the more than 8,000 patients on the waiting list for a donor kidney face significantly fewer than 3,000 actual kidney transplants per year. Experts complain in this context, the low readiness in the population for living donation of organs. In principle, humans only need one of their two kidneys and could therefore make the other available for a kidney transplant. Recently, this form of organ donation of the SPD parliamentary group leader, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has attracted attention. Steinmeier donated one of his kidneys to his seriously ill wife. But despite the medial effect that was associated with the issue kidney donation, the Germans are still extremely hesitant in terms of a possible living donation of their kidneys.

EHEC pathogens on the rise worldwide
While the experts warn of the long-term consequences of EHEC infections for those affected and an increasing need for donor organs, the number of new cases of EHEC in recent days has continued to decline. Overall, according to the health authorities, in the course of the current EHEC epidemic, more than 4,000 patients throughout Germany have contracted an infection with the dangerous intestinal germs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 34 fatal illnesses in Germany and one death in Sweden, citing the current EHEC epidemic as the most severe outbreak to date in Europe. Even though the wave of infection is apparently subsiding, the experts believe that further EHEC infection waves must be expected in the future as well. Karl Lauterbach (SPD) warned against „Picture on Sunday“, that „EHEC pathogens on the rise worldwide“ and therefore „EHEC outbreaks again and again in Germany in the future“ may occur. The responsible ministers are concerned not only with the possible health consequences but also with the handling of such waves of infection.

EHEC infections: Politicians criticize previous notification procedures
In an EHEC epidemic, which spreads as dramatically as the wave of infection in recent weeks, must be guaranteed according to the Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) and the SPD health expert Lauterbach reporting procedures that allow a timely monitoring of the spread of infection. The fact that the new infections were partly reported by mail to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is in the opinion of Lauterbach unacceptable. The SPD health expert also criticized the previous reporting chain, which extends from the local health department on the state health department to the Robert Koch Institute. Until the RKI the current infection numbers are available, could sometimes pass a week, said the opposition politician. Therefore, should „In future, clinics will report each EHEC case directly to the Robert Koch Institute by e-mail“, demanded Karl Lauterbach in the „Picture on Sunday“. The Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr also criticized the paper for the reporting procedure and explained that the federal states and the federal government are decaying after the EHEC epidemic „to evaluate the work together“. It should be the „Information flow between the participants“ to make a special focus. „The notification procedure is on the agenda“, emphasized the Federal Minister of Health.

Some EHEC puzzles still unclear
Even if the current EHEC epidemic seems to come to an end and the cause of the infection has been clarified, there are still some questions left. Although sprouts of the organic farm in the district of Uelzen were unanimously identified as a source of infection by the authorities, the supply chains up to the individual patients are still not fully explained in some places, emphasized the North Rhine-Westphalian consumer protection minister Johannes Remmel (Greens) „WDR“. In addition, the question arises as to how the new particularly aggressive pathogens arose and how they could reach the organic farm in Bienenbüttel. The Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner (CSU) also demanded a stricter monitoring of the corresponding food manufacturers, given that the current wave of EHEC infection was triggered by the consumption of sprouts. Opposite the „Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung“ Aigner announced adjustments in food control: „I have asked the Länder authorities to focus on examining producers and importers of sprouts and their products nationwide.“ According to the Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection „of course also imports of seeds from abroad“ be checked.

Loss of sales through EHEC - aid package planned for farmers
While the EHEC epidemic often causes massive health problems for those infected, farmers and organic farmers are threatened by the wave of infection at another level. The dramatic drop in sales has driven many to the brink of ruin. Therefore, farmers now hope for quick help from the EU. EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said that in relation to „Passauer New Press“, Member States are expected to decide on Tuesday on a € 210 million rescue package for farmers. However, in the interests of farmers, the help can not come fast enough, because many had to destroy a large part of their vegetable harvest in recent days. Since it is not yet clear when sales in the vegetable sector will recover, the affected farmers are in urgent need of financial support. In view of the drop in sales, the question also arises as to whether an aid package of 210 million euros will be enough to absorb the losses of the farmers. Not only are EHEC patients threatened with significant long-term consequences of the current wave of infection, but farmers will also be struggling for some time with the consequences of the EHEC epidemic. (Fp)

Also read:
Sprouts clear cause of EHEC symptoms
EHEC quick test no miracle weapon
Autoantibodies exacerbate EHEC symptoms
Neurological disorders as EHEC symptoms
EHEC infections: first signs of slowing
WHO: New EHEC pathogen triggers infections
EHEC: DRK calls for blood donations
Green cucumbers no EHEC transmitter
Quick test detects EHEC symptoms
Do not panic about EHEC germs
Doctors are testing new therapy for EHEC infection

Picture: tokamuwi