Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 as an enteric pathogen in Irish children

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Bacteriology

Background:

• Diarrheal diseases in children are a significant public health concern.
• Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), particularly E. coli O157:H7, is a notable cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
• Surveillance of enteric pathogens in pediatric populations is crucial for understanding disease epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from children with diarrhea for the presence of E. coli O157:H7.
• To determine the prevalence of verotoxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in Irish children experiencing diarrheal episodes.

Main Methods:

• Sorbitol MacConkey agar was utilized for the initial screening of E. coli.
• Isolation and identification of non-sorbitol fermenting E. coli strains.
• Serotyping of isolates to detect the O157 serogroup and H7 antigen.
• Verotoxin production testing for confirmed E. coli O157:H7 isolates.

Main Results:

• Out of 894 children with diarrhea, 34 non-sorbitol fermenting E. coli strains were identified.
• Three isolates belonged to the O157 serogroup.
• One isolate possessed the H7 antigen and was confirmed as a verotoxin producer.
• This single isolate represents E. coli O157:H7 in the study cohort.

Conclusions:

• Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 appears to be an uncommon enteric pathogen among Irish children presenting with diarrhea.
• The low detection rate suggests a limited role for this specific pathogen in pediatric diarrhea within this geographic region.
• Further surveillance may be warranted to confirm these findings and monitor trends in pediatric diarrheal diseases.