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Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
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Published on: July 22, 2012

Rotavirus type A and other enteric pathogens in stool samples from children with acute diarrhea on the Colombian

Delfina Urbina1, Octavio Arzuza, Gregorio Young

  • 1Sección de Microbiología, Laboratorio del Posgrado de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cartagena, Campus de Zaragocilla, Apartado Aéreo 0506, Cartagena, Colombia. durbina@enred.com

International Microbiology : the Official Journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology
|April 11, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Rotavirus was the primary cause of acute diarrhea in Colombian children, with bacterial and parasitic co-infections also significant. This study identified key enteric pathogens affecting infants and young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Acute diarrhea remains a major health concern in young children globally.
  • Understanding the specific causative agents is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the etiology of acute diarrhea in young children and infants in Cartagena and Sincelejo, Colombia.
  • To identify the prevalence of various enteric pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 253 stool samples from children with acute diarrhea.
  • Identification of enteric pathogens using microbiological and parasitological techniques.

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus type A was the most frequent pathogen (36.6%), particularly in infants under 12 months.
  • Bacterial pathogens included Salmonella spp. (9.0%) and Shigella spp. (8.0%).
  • Parasitic infections were also common, with Entamoeba hystolitica (10%) and Giardia lamblia (4%).
  • Mixed infections occurred in 37.9% of patients, and 18.6% had concurrent parasitic infections.
  • The study noted the first report of Providencia alcalifaciens associated with infantile diarrhea in Colombia and the regional debut of E. coli O157:H7 and Y. enterocolitica.

Conclusions:

  • Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute diarrhea in this Colombian pediatric population.
  • Bacterial and parasitic co-infections are prevalent and require consideration in diagnosis and management.
  • The findings highlight the importance of regional surveillance for emerging and re-emerging enteric pathogens.

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