Related Experiment Videos
[Bacterial isolation in infants hospitalized for acute diarrhea]
Insights
Bacterial pathogens, particularly Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), were frequently identified in young children with acute diarrhea in Santiago, Chile. Fecal leukocytes indicated infection in a significant portion of these cases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a common and serious illness in children under two years of age.
- Bacterial infections are a significant cause of acute diarrhea in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the prevalent bacterial agents is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for acute diarrhea in hospitalized children under two years old in Santiago, Chile.
- To determine the prevalence of specific bacterial species and serogroups.
- To correlate the presence of fecal leukocytes with bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from 156 children under two years with acute diarrhea.
- Bacterial cultures were performed to isolate and identify pathogenic microorganisms.
- Serotyping was used for specific identification of Escherichia coli strains.
- Fecal leukocytes were quantified to assess the inflammatory response.
Main Results:
- A bacterial pathogen was identified in 75.6% of the 115 cases with known agents.
- Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was the most prevalent (65.5%), followed by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (18.4%), Campylobacter jejuni (13.8%), Salmonellae (9.2%), and Shigellae (6.9%).
- Fecal leukocytes were elevated in 41.4% of bacterial isolates, with higher rates in Shigellae and EPEC infections.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial infections, especially EPEC, are a major cause of acute diarrhea in young children in Santiago.
- Early identification of bacterial pathogens is essential for appropriate pediatric care.
- Fecal leukocyte analysis can aid in diagnosing bacterial gastroenteritis in children.
Abstract:
Bacteria were investigated in stools of 156 children under two years of age admitted to the pediatric wards of a general hospital at the western metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile, because of acute diarrhea with only one stool sample. A known pathogenic agent was isolated from 115 cases (73.7%), this being a bacteria in 87/115 (75.6%). Most prevalent microorganisms were Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). (65.5%), specially serogroups 0111, 0119 and 055, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (18.4%), Campylobacter yeyuni (13.8%), Salmonellae (9.2%) and Shigellae (6.9%). Invasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) and Aeromonas hydrophila were observed in only one case. Yersinia enterocolitica was not isolated. Age was under one year in 92% of patients and 83% were normally or slightly under nourished. Fecal leucocytes were abnormally increased (greater than 5 per high power field) in 41.4% of positive bacterial isolates, in 83% of children with Shigellae, in 50% of those with EPEC and Salmonellae and in 25% of the Campylobacter yeyuni group.