Final answer:
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is indeed responsible for causing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) among children, which is a true statement. This strain of EHEC is associated with life-threatening symptoms including bloody diarrhea and potential kidney damage due to the production of Shiga toxin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks whether Escherichia coli O157:H7 is responsible for causing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) among children. The assertion is A. True. The type of E. coli infection that can lead to severe, life-threatening consequences such as HUS is the enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), particularly the strain O157:H7.
This strain is known to produce Shiga toxin and can result in symptoms such as bloody diarrhea with severe cramping. EHEC can also lead to complications like hemorrhagic colitis and HUS, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed, and kidney function can be impaired.
Diagnosing this infection involves culturing on special agar, as E. coli O157:H7 does not ferment sorbitol like less virulent strains.
Food and water contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 pose significant health risks and have been the cause of multiple outbreaks globally, sometimes with fatal consequences. These outbreaks highlight the importance of proper food handling and processing procedures to prevent contamination and spread of this dangerous strain.