Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat
08:27

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat

Published on: October 29, 2014

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates in paediatric diarrhoea

C Vaishnavi1, P Ray, B R Thapa

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Tropical Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation
|June 3, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) definitively causes childhood diarrhea across all age groups. Characterizing all significant E. coli isolates is crucial for understanding pediatric enteritis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a significant cause of infantile enteritis.
  • Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide.
  • Understanding the prevalence of specific bacterial pathogens is essential for effective treatment and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of EPEC in pediatric patients presenting with acute and persistent diarrhea.
  • To identify and characterize bacterial isolates from stool samples of children with diarrhea.
  • To determine the role of EPEC in childhood diarrhea across different age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples were collected from 56 pediatric patients with diarrhea.
  • Bacterial isolates were identified and characterized using standard microbiological techniques.
  • E. coli isolates were further classified as typable or untypable, with typable strains assessed for enteropathogenic characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-eight significant bacterial isolates were identified from the 56 samples.
  • Twenty-one isolates were untypable E. coli, and five were typable E. coli.
  • Four of the typable E. coli isolates were confirmed as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC).
  • Non-E. coli isolates included Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Citrobacter freundi.

Conclusions:

  • EPEC plays a definitive role in childhood diarrhea across all age groups.
  • The study highlights the importance of characterizing all significant E. coli isolates in pediatric diarrhea cases.
  • Further research into EPEC epidemiology and virulence factors is warranted.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates08:32

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates

Published on: February 17, 2023

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing09:44

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...