In North America enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli have emerged as important enteric pathogens since their initial description in 1982. They have been associated with the idiopathic haemolytic uraemic syndrome and in outbreaks, mortality rates of up to 31% have been recorded. In this paper the recent literature pertaining to the pathogenesis, laboratory identification, epidemiology and therapy of infections by these organisms is reviewed.