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Epidemiological survey of the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from children with diarrhoea
A H Regua1, V L Bravo, M C Leal
1Department of Biological Sciences, Escola Nacional de Saudé Pública, Fundação Oswaldo, Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) caused 18% of childhood diarrhea hospitalizations in Rio de Janeiro. Poor sanitation, like lack of piped water and drainage, increased EPEC infection risk in young children.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrhea remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
- Escherichia coli is a common bacterial pathogen associated with diarrheal diseases in children.
- Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a significant etiological agent of infantile diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of E. coli and EPEC in hospitalized children with diarrhea.
- To identify common EPEC serogroups causing diarrhea in the study population.
- To investigate the association between household sanitation and EPEC infection.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological analysis of stool samples from hospitalized children.
- Isolation and serogrouping of E. coli strains.
- Statistical analysis to assess the correlation between sanitation and EPEC prevalence.
Main Results:
- E. coli was detected in 94% of 406 children aged 0-3 years hospitalized for diarrhea.
- EPEC strains were identified in 18% of the cases.
- Higher EPEC prevalence was observed in children from households lacking piped water and drainage systems (24%) compared to those with adequate facilities (15%).
Conclusions:
- E. coli, particularly EPEC, is a major cause of childhood diarrhea requiring hospitalization in Rio de Janeiro.
- Inadequate sanitation is a significant risk factor for EPEC infections in young children.
- Public health interventions focusing on improved water supply and sanitation are crucial for reducing childhood diarrhea burden.
Abstract:
Escherichia coli was isolated in 382 (94 per cent) of 406 children from 0 to 3 years of age who had been hospitalized for diarrhoea at the Hospital Municipal Salles Neto, Rio de Janeiro. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains were isolated in 67 samples (18 per cent), distributed among the serogroups that were tested as follows: 0111 (33 per cent); 0125 (19 per cent); 0126, 0127, and 0142 (9 per cent); 0128 and 0119 (8 per cent); 055 (5 per cent); 0114 (2 per cent). No strains of EPEC belonging to serogroups 086, 0126, and 0158 were found. Among the samples in which EPEC strains were isolated, 15.0 per cent were children living in dwellings which had piped systems of water supply and drain, whereas with regard to those living in houses without such facilities, this percentage raised to 24 per cent. Similar results were found when the availability of water supply of drainage were taken separately.