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Etiology of acute childhood diarrhoea in Calcutta
Insights
This study identified potential pathogens in 81.5% of acute diarrhea cases. Key findings include the prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila, rotavirus, Vibrio cholerae, and Entamoeba histolytica, highlighting their roles in pediatric diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Acute diarrhea remains a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Identifying causative agents is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spectrum of potential pathogens responsible for acute diarrhea in children.
- To determine the etiological agents and their prevalence across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Microbiological analysis of stool samples from 152 acute diarrhea cases.
- Identification of bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents using culture, serotyping, and other diagnostic methods.
- Comparative analysis with age-matched controls to establish pathogenicity.
Main Results:
- Potential pathogens were detected in 81.5% of cases.
- Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter, Proteus, and Acinetobacter were identified.
- Aeromonas hydrophila, rotavirus, Vibrio cholerae, Entamoeba histolytica, and Trichuris trichiura were among the predominant pathogens, with age-specific variations.
- Mixed infections were common, accounting for 24.3% of cases.
Conclusions:
- A diverse range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents contribute to acute diarrhea in children.
- Specific pathogens like Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio cholerae show age-related prevalence.
- Entamoeba histolytica and T. hominis are implicated as significant pathogens in acute diarrhea.
Abstract:
Of the 152 cases of acute diarrhoea, 124 (81.5%) revealed potential pathogens. Altogether 27 (21.2%) out of 127 strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter, Proteus and Acinetobacter produced enterotoxin. Single pathogenic bacteria (40 cases 26.3%), parasite (6; 6%), rota virus (6; 6%), toxigenic bacteria (19; 12.5%) and mixed agents (37; 24.24.3%) were recorded in 108 cases (71.0%). Another 14 (9.2%) cases exclusively revealed moderate to heavy growth of suspected enteric pathogens like K. pneumoniae, Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anaerogenic E. coli and Citrobacter and 2 (1.3%) had high counts of T'. hominis. Of the known pathogens, the preponderance of A. hydrophila (24.4%), rota virus (15.7%) and Aeromonas hydrophila (14.0%) in 1-4 y, Vibrio cholerae (45.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (13.0%) in 4-14 y age group is highlighted. Other pathogenic bacteria were non-01 V. cholerae (3.2%), V. parahaemolyticus (2.6%), V. fluvialis (0.6), Plesiomonas shigelloides (3.9%), Salmonella (2.6%), Shigella (1.9%), EPEC (1.9%), EEC (5.2%) and Campylobacter jejuni (3.9%) and the parasites were Entamoeba histolytica (2.6%) and Giardia intestinalis (2.6). Comparative study of age matched controls with those of diarrhoea suggested the pathogenic role of E. histolytica and T. hominis.