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Enteropathogen carriage by healthy individuals living in an area with poor sanitation
Insights
Bacterial enteropathogens, including enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), were found in 9.1% of healthy individuals. Infants showed the highest carriage rates, with most isolates susceptible to antibiotics, though some E. coli strains exhibited multi-resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Faecal carriage of bacterial enteropathogens is a significant concern in public health.
- Understanding carriage rates across different age groups is crucial for disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), shigellae, and salmonellae in healthy individuals.
- To determine carriage rates in infants, school-age children, and adults.
- To assess the antibiotic susceptibility of isolated enteropathogens.
Main Methods:
- Faecal samples were collected from 265 apparently healthy individuals across three age groups: infants (3-6 months), school-age children (8-10 years), and adults (21-50 years).
- Samples were cultured for enteropathogens, including EPEC, shigellae, and salmonellae.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on isolated strains.
Main Results:
- Enteropathogens were isolated from 9.1% of the individuals studied.
- Infants exhibited the highest carriage rate at 20%, followed by school-age children (8%) and adults (3%).
- Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) was the most frequent isolate. Most isolates were susceptible to common antibiotics, with only four multi-resistant E. coli strains identified in bottle-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- Healthy infants represent a significant reservoir for enteropathogenic bacteria, necessitating targeted public health interventions.
- While most enteropathogens remain susceptible to antibiotics, the emergence of multi-resistant strains, particularly in infants, warrants further monitoring and research.
- This study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of bacterial enteropathogen carriage in diverse populations.
Abstract:
Faecal carriage of bacterial enteropathogens (enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), shigellae and salmonellae) was studied in 265 individuals: 65 infants 3-6 months of age (50 bottle-fed and 15 breast-fed), 100 school-age children 8-10 years of age and 100 adults 21-50 years of age. All were apparently healthy, did not have gastrointestinal symptoms, had not received antibiotics in the preceding fortnight and were not malnourished. Enteropathogens were isolated from the faeces of 24 individuals (9.1%). Cultures were positive for enteropathogens in 20% of the infants (both breast- and bottle-fed), 8% of school-age children and 3% of the adults. EPEC was the most frequent isolate. Twelve different serotypes were detected. The highest recoveries were E. coli 026:K60 and 044 . K74. Shigella was detected only in school-age children (2%) and salmonella only in adults (1%). Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica were studied only in the school-age children: there was one isolate of each of them. Most enteropathogens isolated were susceptible to the majority of the antibiotics tested. Only four E. coli strains, isolated from bottle-fed infants, could be considered multi-resistant. Two of the strains wer E. coli 044:K74 and 020a020c:K61. The remainder were E. coli 0111:K58 and wee capable of transferring some of their antibiotic resistance traits to a recipient strain.