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Causative pathogens of severe diarrhea in children

Abdulrahman Y Ismaeel1, Afaf E Jamsheer, Ahmed Q Yousif

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, PO Box 22979, Bahrain. ismaeel@agu.edu.bh

Saudi Medical Journal
|October 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Rotavirus type A is the most common cause of diarrhea in children in Bahrain, followed by bacterial pathogens. Diagnostic tests for rotavirus are recommended for young children with diarrhea.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Diarrhea is a significant health concern in children worldwide.
  • Identifying enteropathogens is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of enteropathogens causing diarrhea in children in Bahrain.
  • To determine the etiological agents responsible for pediatric diarrhea.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples from 805 children were analyzed for parasites, bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli), adenovirus, and rotavirus.
  • Various diagnostic techniques were employed, including microscopy, culture, latex agglutination, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus was detected in 13.9% of samples, with Rotavirus A being the most prevalent (36.5% by RT-PCR).
  • Bacterial pathogens were identified in 10.3% of samples, with Salmonella being most common.
  • Adenovirus and parasites played a minor role.

Conclusions:

  • Rotavirus type A is the predominant cause of infectious diarrhea in the studied pediatric population.
  • Bacterial pathogens are the second most common etiological agents.
  • Introduction of rotavirus diagnostic testing is recommended for children under three years old presenting with diarrhea.
Abstract

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