Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates
08:32

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates

Published on: February 17, 2023

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli associated with diarrhea in children in Cairo, Egypt

Iman K Behiry1, Emad A Abada, Entsar A Ahmed

  • 1Department of Clinical Pathology, Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.

Thescientificworldjournal
|January 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was identified in 5.2% of young children with diarrhea in Cairo. EPEC was most prevalent in summer and among toddlers, showing resistance to common antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a significant cause of childhood diarrhea globally.
  • Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of EPEC in specific regions is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and identify EPEC strains causing diarrhea in children under five years old in Cairo, Egypt.
  • To investigate the seasonal distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of EPEC.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving children with diarrhea and healthy controls.
  • Fecal samples were analyzed for EPEC using slide agglutination tests.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method.

Main Results:

  • EPEC was detected in 5.2% of 134 children with diarrhea; none were found in 20 healthy controls.
  • Prevalence was higher in children aged 2-3 years (18.7%) compared to infants under 6 months (7.5%).
  • EPEC was found in all seasons except winter, with a peak in summer. Resistance was noted against ampicillin, ticarcillin, cotrimoxazole, and third-generation cephalosporins.

Conclusions:

  • EPEC is an important cause of diarrhea in young children in Cairo.
  • Seasonal variations and specific age groups are associated with higher EPEC rates.
  • Antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for judicious antibiotic use in managing childhood diarrhea.

Keywords:
children less than 5 yearsenteropathogenic E. colislide agglutination test

More Related Videos

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens08:23

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens

Published on: March 10, 2020

Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella04:56

Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella

Published on: February 9, 2024

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...
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...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
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...