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Summary
Heat-labile enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli is rarely a cause of diarrhea in Sweden. Most cases were linked to international travel, particularly traveler's diarrhea during summer months.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a significant cause of diarrheal illness globally.
- Understanding the prevalence of ETEC in different geographical regions is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E. coli in patients with diarrhea in Sweden.
- To evaluate a simplified screening method for detecting enterotoxin production.
Main Methods:
- Fecal specimens from 648 diarrheal patients across Sweden were analyzed over six months.
- The adrenal cell test was used to detect heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E. coli.
- A simplified screening method for enterotoxin production was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains were identified in 27 out of 648 patients (4.2%).
- 70% of patients with enterotoxigenic strains had a history of recent international travel.
- Enterotoxigenic bacteria caused traveler's diarrhea in 11% of patients who had traveled abroad, with a peak incidence in July and August.
Conclusions:
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli appears to be an uncommon cause of diarrhea in the general Swedish population.
- International travel is a significant risk factor for acquiring enterotoxigenic E. coli infections.
- The simplified screening method is a useful tool for large-scale detection of enterotoxin production.