Ecoli from cats?

So hubby was in the ER last week with Chest Pains, a slew of tests later (they tested him for EVERYTHING from strep to the flu to heart disease), and determined he had a bladder and kidney infection.  Got his culture results back and he tested positive for Ecoli.  Right now I am dealing with 3 sick kitties, DeeJay who has chronic pancreatitis, Munchie who is now on his 3rd batch of antibiotics with a respiratory infection and Mini Dee whom I pretty sure has a bladder infection (she's going to the vet tomorrow).  Hubby is convinced he got it from the cats.  How true is this?  In researching it, it says it's possible however he does not touch their litter boxes (he has asthma so he can't).  He is going to the Dr on thursday and I told him to ask the Dr.  My dad (retired vet) says it's possible but unlikely as Ecoli is one of the most prevalent bacterias in our systems so it could have just gotten out of hand in his own system.

The most common causes of Ecoli infections are due to contaminated water, improper food preparation (even a waitress who fails to wash her hands could spread this bacteria), or simply failing to wash ones own hands after using the bathroom. Mammals can carry the bacteria (including cats) but there are hundreds of other places he could have picked it up as well.

That's what I told him, that there are hundreds of places he could have gotten it from, that the furkids would be unlikely.

I suppose it's easier to blame the cat than to think the waiter at your favourite eatery failed to wash their hands after doing their business

If you want to prove it to hubby, just take a stool sample in to be tested for it. If one has it, they likely all do.

But unless he's been touching or eating their poop (!!), it most likely came from someplace eating out.

Examples:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/01/contaminated-lettuce-came-from-lgma-grower/#.UqiYAuLOQrk

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/weekinreview/12organic.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/e-coli/DS01007/DSECTION=causes

It's unlikely he got it from the cats if he doesn't clean the litter boxes. Mogli had an E coli infection when we got him, and I cleaned his box three and four times a day, without gloves, and wasn't infected. I'd asked the vet whether there were any special precautions to take, and she said just washing our hands thoroughly after dealing with the box was enough.