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Molecular detection of pathogens associated with childhood gastroenteritis in Burkina Faso using the FilmArray® GI
Modeste Tegawende Gampene1,2, Namwin Siourimè Somda3, Patrice Adama Soubeiga4
1Unite de formation et de recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire d'Epidémiologie et de Surveillance de Bactéries et Virus Transmissibles par les Aliments (LaBESTA), Unité de Génomique et des Pathogènes One Health (UGenoPath-OH), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou 03, 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso. g_modeste@yahoo.fr.
Insights
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) was the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized children under five in Burkina Faso. Rapid detection using the FilmArray® GI panel aids in diagnosing and managing childhood diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a significant cause of illness and death in young children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- AGE in children is linked to diverse bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents.
- Understanding the specific pathogens causing AGE is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of infectious agents causing AGE in hospitalized children under five years of age.
- To identify the most prevalent pathogens responsible for infectious diarrhea in this age group.
- To evaluate the utility of the FilmArray® gastrointestinal panel for pathogen detection.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive study was conducted over one year (December 2017 - November 2018).
- Stool samples were collected from 90 hospitalized children under five with AGE.
- The FilmArray® gastrointestinal panel was used to test for 22 different pathogens.
Main Results:
- A pathogen was identified in 74.4% of the children studied.
- Co-infections (55.2%) were more common than single pathogen infections (44.7%).
- Viruses and bacteria were most common (58.8% each), followed by parasites (30%). Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) was the most frequent bacterial pathogen (48.8%), Rotavirus (22.2%) and Giardia lamblia (16.6%) were also prevalent. Viral infections were more common in infants under 12 months, while bacterial infections predominated in children aged 13-24 months. Fever was the most common symptom (76.1%).
Conclusions:
- Bacteria, especially DEC, are the leading causes of infectious diarrhea in young children in Burkina Faso.
- The FilmArray® GI panel is an effective tool for rapid and comprehensive identification of gastrointestinal pathogens.
- Improved diagnostics through panels like FilmArray® can enhance the management of childhood diarrhea.
Background:
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age in low- and middle-income countries. AGE in children is associated with a wide range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of infectious agents responsible for AGE in hospitalized children under five years of age at Bogodogo University Hospital.
Methods:
A prospective, descriptive study was conducted from December 2017 to November 2018. A total of 90 stool samples were collected from hospitalized children under 5 years of age presenting with AGE. Samples were analyzed for the presence of 22 pathogens using the FilmArray® gastrointestinal panel.
Results:
At least one pathogen was detected in 74.4% (67/90) of patients. Single pathogen infections accounted for 44.7% (30/67) of positive cases, while co-infections accounted for 55.2% (37/67). Viruses and bacteria were the most common types of pathogens, each detected in 58.8% (53/90) of cases, followed by parasites in 30% (27/90). The most frequently detected bacterial pathogen was diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) (48.8%). Rotavirus (22.2%) and Giardia lamblia (16.6%) were also prevalent. Viral infections predominated in children under 12 months (55.1%), whereas bacterial infections were more frequent in children aged 13-24 months (82.1%). Fever was the most common associated symptom, reported in 76.1% of cases.
Conclusion:
This study highlights bacteria, particularly DEC, as the most prevalent pathogens responsible for infectious diarrhea in children under five in Burkina Faso. The FilmArray® GI panel proved valuable for rapid, comprehensive pathogen detection, supporting improved diagnosis and management of childhood diarrhea.
Clinical Trial Number:
Not applicable.
