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Pathogenic Escherichia coli: a new etiology for acute ileitis in children
R E Sonnino1, J M Laberge, M G Mucklow
1Department of Pediatric Surgery and Microbiology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Acute ileitis in children, often caused by infections or inflammatory conditions, can also result from pathogenic Escherichia coli. This case highlights the importance of considering E. coli in diagnosing pediatric acute abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Acute ileitis in children commonly presents as acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention.
- Etiologies typically include inflammatory bowel disease, Yersinia, and Campylobacter infections.
Observation:
- A case of acute ileitis in a child is presented.
- The condition was diagnosed during laparotomy for acute abdominal pain.
Findings:
- A pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli was identified as the causative agent.
- This finding expands the known differential diagnosis for acute ileitis in pediatric patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the need to consider Escherichia coli in the differential diagnosis of acute ileitis in children.
- Emphasizes the importance of microbiological investigation for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
- Contributes to understanding the epidemiology of infectious causes of acute abdominal pain in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Acute ileitis in children is frequently diagnosed at the time of laparotomy for acute abdominal pain and is usually due to inflammatory bowel disease, Yersinia, or Campylobacter infections. We report a case in which a pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli was responsible for the disease. The diagnosis, microbiology, and epidemiology are discussed.