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Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis in Hungary
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary.
Anaerobe
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains are prevalent in clinical samples and associated with diarrhea. Toxin production was confirmed in a significant percentage of isolates from infectious processes and diarrheal patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Bacteroides fragilis is a common anaerobic bacterium in the human colon.
- Enterotoxigenic strains of B. fragilis are linked to human and animal diarrhea.
- The B. fragilis toxin induces cytotoxic responses in colon carcinoma cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains in Hungary.
- To determine the association of these strains with clinical infections and diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacterial strains from various clinical specimens.
- Cell culture assays using HT-29 cells to detect toxin activity.
- Analysis of filtered culture supernatants for cytotoxic effects.
Main Results:
- 34 out of 134 (25.3%) isolated B. fragilis strains were toxin-positive.
- Free toxin was detected in 40% of fecal samples from adults with diarrhea.
- Toxin-positive strains were found in infectious processes and diarrheal stools.
Conclusions:
- Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis is a significant finding in clinical settings.
- The presence of B. fragilis toxin correlates with diarrheal conditions.
- Further research is warranted on the clinical impact of these enterotoxigenic strains.