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Published on: February 19, 2013
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli may be a new pathogen causing acute and persistent diarrhea
S Bhatnagar1, M K Bhan, H Sommerfelt
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Bergen, Norway.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (EAggEC) may be a significant cause of diarrhea in young children, potentially leading to prolonged illness. This study investigated EAEC phenotypes in children with non-bloody diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases remain a major health concern in children worldwide.
- Escherichia coli can adhere to Hep-2 cells and exhibit different phenotypes, including localized (EAEC-L), diffuse (EAEC-D), and aggregative (EAggEC).
- The specific role of these EAEC phenotypes in pediatric diarrhea requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between different Hep-2 cell adherent Escherichia coli (EAEC) phenotypes and non-bloody diarrhea in children.
- To compare the prevalence of EAEC phenotypes in children with diarrhea versus age-matched controls.
- To explore the potential link between EAEC phenotypes and the duration of diarrheal illness.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 254 children under 48 months with non-bloody diarrhea and 107 age-matched controls.
- Stool samples were analyzed for the presence of EAEC-L, EAEC-D, and EAggEC phenotypes.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare excretion rates between patients and controls, and by diarrheal duration.
Main Results:
- Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (EAggEC) showed a significantly higher stool excretion rate in children with diarrhea (11.8%) compared to controls (3.7%) (p=0.03).
- EAEC-L and EAEC-D did not show significant differences in excretion rates between cases and controls.
- EAggEC excretion rates were higher in children with diarrhea duration of >= 14 days (21.4%) compared to those with < 14 days (9.9%), approaching statistical significance (p=0.06).
Conclusions:
- Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (EAggEC) is a potential significant pathogen contributing to childhood diarrhea.
- EAggEC may be associated with prolonged diarrheal episodes in children.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the role of EAggEC in pediatric gastroenteritis.
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