Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
06:55

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

Published on: November 7, 2018

Molecular epidemiology of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in children in Tehran

Siavosh Salmanzadeh-Ahrabi1, Effat Habibi, Fereshteh Jaafari

  • 1Department of Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases, Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. salmanzadeh1@yahoo.com

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Entero-aggregative (EAEC) E. coli was the most common cause of acute diarrhea in Tehran children. Other diarrheagenic E. coli, including ETEC, STEC, and EPEC, were also identified, highlighting the diverse pathogens involved.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) are significant causes of pediatric gastroenteritis worldwide.
  • Understanding the prevalence of specific E. coli categories is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of four diarrheagenic E. coli categories: entero-aggregative (EAEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), and Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) in children with acute diarrhea in Tehran.
  • To compare the occurrence of these pathogens in children with diarrhea versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted from July to December 2003 involving 200 children with acute diarrhea and 200 age-matched controls.
  • Stool specimens were analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect six genes specific to diarrheagenic E. coli.
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) isolates were further characterized using O157 and H7 antisera.

Main Results:

  • Entero-aggregative E. coli (EAEC) was the most prevalent diarrheagenic E. coli, found in 24% of patients and 8% of controls (p<0.0001).
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was isolated in 15.5% of patients versus 0% of controls (p<0.0001).
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was found in 15% of patients and 2% of controls (p<0.0001), with seven isolates identified as O157:H7 and 23 as non-O157:H7. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) showed similar prevalence in patients (6%) and controls (5%).

Conclusions:

  • EAEC is a significant cause of acute diarrhea in young children in Tehran.
  • ETEC and STEC are also important contributors to pediatric diarrhea in this population.
  • The findings underscore the need for targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diarrheagenic E. coli infections in children.

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

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR15:16

Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR

Published on: July 22, 2012

Related Concept Videos

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...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Cholera01:25

Cholera

Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
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...