The role of Proteae in diarrhea

A survey was undertaken on the occurrence of Protease in the human fecal flora and its coincidence with other well-documented enteropathogens such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia, protozoa and rotavirus. A total of 2000 fecal specimens was investigated, 1000 from patients suffering from diarrhea and 1000 from healthy persons which served as controls. Proteus mirabilis was isolated more frequently from diarrhea cases than from healthy people. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.001). There was no correlation between its occurrence and isolation of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and protozoa. However, a questionable coincidence was found with rotavirus (P less than 0.2) and a more certain correlation with Yersinia enterocolitica (P less than 0.025). Proteus mirabilis in patients suffering from infection by other known enteropathogens was largely absent, suggesting that the organisms were independent causative agents of intestinal disorders. Notwithstanding this, they may additionally play a role as opportunists in enteric diseases due to some other pathogens.