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Bacterial enteropathogens and risk factors associated with childhood diarrhea

Abdel Moati Kh Al Jarousha1, Mahmoud A El Jarou, Iyad A El Qouqa

  • 1Laboratory Medicine Department, Al Azhar University, P.O. Box 1277, Gaza, Palestine. Amoati2007@yahoo.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|October 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial enteropathogens, particularly Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, are significant causes of childhood diarrhea. Malnutrition is a key risk factor, and ampicillin/amoxicillin are ineffective treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Diarrheal diseases remain a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Identifying specific bacterial enteropathogens and their risk factors is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the common bacterial causes of diarrhea in children.
  • To identify associated risk factors and clinical signs.
  • To assess antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Conventional cultural methods were used to analyze stool samples from children with diarrhea and matched controls.
  • Data were collected between February 2006 and January 2007.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial enteropathogens were identified in 31% of cases versus 8% of controls.
  • Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (8.3%), Shigella spp. (6.7%), and Campylobacter jejuni (5%) were most frequent.
  • Malnutrition was the primary independent risk factor (OR adjusted 8.37).
  • Enteropathogens showed susceptibility to meropenem, ceftriaxone, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin, but resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial enteropathogens play a critical role in severe childhood diarrhea.
  • Enterohemorrhagic E. coli is the predominant pathogen identified.
  • Malnutrition is a significant risk factor for infection.
  • Ampicillin and amoxicillin are not recommended for empirical treatment of acute diarrhea in this population.
Abstract

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