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Enteroadherent Escherichia coli and diarrhea in children: a prospective case-control study
C Forestier1, M Meyer, S Favre-Bonte
1Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Faculté de Pharmacie et de Médecine, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Christiane.Forestier@u-Clermont1.fr
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains, including diffusely adhering E. coli (DAEC), were studied in hospitalized children. DAEC was common but not linked to diarrhea, suggesting it acts as a resident colonic strain.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) are significant pathogens causing childhood diarrhea globally.
- Understanding the prevalence and role of different E. coli pathotypes in hospitalized children is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and contribution of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes in hospitalized children with diarrhea.
- To differentiate between pathogenic and commensal E. coli strains based on adherence patterns and genetic markers.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year prospective study involving 220 children with diarrhea (cases) and 211 matched controls.
- Fecal E. coli isolates were characterized using HEp-2 cell adherence assays and DNA probes for specific pathotypes (e.g., eae, enteroaggregative E. coli, diffusely adhering E. coli).
Main Results:
- No enteroinvasive or enterotoxigenic E. coli were detected.
- eae-positive and enteroaggregative E. coli were found in similar frequencies in both cases and controls.
- Diffusely adhering E. coli (DAEC) was the predominant pathotype but showed no association with diarrhea, suggesting it is a resident colonic strain. However, DAEC strains were linked to prior urinary tract infections.
Conclusions:
- The studied diarrheagenic E. coli, particularly DAEC, do not appear to be significant intestinal pathogens in this hospitalized pediatric population.
- DAEC may represent normal colonic flora rather than a true enteric pathogen.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of DAEC in different clinical settings and populations.
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