Prevalence of Shiga toxin-, intimin- and haemolysin genes in Escherichia coli isolates from drinking water supplies in a rural area of Austria.

Literature harbours several reports of potable water-associated outbreaks. We studied the prevalence of Shiga toxin- (stx1/2), intimin- (eae) and haemolysin (hlyA) genes in Escherichia coli isolates from drinking water of private and public water supplies in a rural area of Upper Austria; 2633 water samples were gained between November 2000 and December 2003. Two hundred and eighty of these water samples were positive for E.

The experience of relatives asked for organ donation. The original project, obstacles, findings, and unexpected results.

In this article we describe the aims of a Swiss cohort study in bereaved relatives who were asked for organ donation. Their experience in the ICU was assessed six months after the donation request by questionnaire (quantitative approach) and, in a subgroup, by interviews (qualitative approach). The difficulties of running such a multitcentre study are reported in detail.