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Isolation of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains in Poland
F Meisel-Mikołajczyk1, M Sebald, E Torbicka
1Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Medical Academy, Warszawa, Poland.
Insights
Two enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains were identified in children hospitalized with diarrhea. Enterotoxin production was confirmed using the HT29/C1 cell line, highlighting a potential cause of pediatric infectious diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Diarrhea is a common cause of hospitalization in children.
- Bacteroides fragilis is an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium found in the gut microbiome.
- The role of specific bacterial strains in pediatric diarrhea requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of enterotoxigenic anaerobic gram-negative rods in fecal samples of hospitalized children.
- To identify specific strains of Bacteroides fragilis capable of producing enterotoxins.
- To confirm enterotoxin production using a human colonic epithelial cell line.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of fecal samples from 120 hospitalized children.
- Isolation and identification of anaerobic gram-negative rods.
- Detection of enterotoxigenicity in isolated strains.
- Confirmation of enterotoxin production using the HT29/C1 cell line.
Main Results:
- Diarrhea was observed in 56 out of 120 children.
- 45 anaerobic gram-negative rods were isolated.
- Two strains of Bacteroides fragilis were identified as enterotoxigenic.
- Enterotoxin production by these strains was confirmed on the HT29/C1 cell line.
Conclusions:
- Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains may play a role in pediatric diarrhea.
- The HT29/C1 cell line is a suitable model for detecting bacterial enterotoxin production.
- Further research is warranted to understand the clinical significance of enterotoxigenic B. fragilis in children.
Abstract:
Fecal samples of 120 children (2 weeks to 3.5 year old) hospitalized in a pediatrical ward were investigated. In 56 of them diarrhea was observed. Out of 45 anaerobic gram-negative isolated rods, two Bacteroides fragilis strains were enterotoxigenic. Production of enterotoxin was established on the Human Colonic Epithelial Cell Line HT29/C1.