Abstract
ABSTRACT Among the diseases which etiopathogenesis is associated with Escherichia coli, acute diarrhea stands out. Studies on the characterization of the antimicrobial susceptibility profile contribute to the selection of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 98 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains isolated from fecal specimens of children with acute diarrhea was evaluated. The resistance rates to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and nalidixic acid were high, ranging from 34.7% to 10.2%. The result of this research recommends the use of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone for the empirical treatment of children with acute diarrhea which the etiology suggested is ETEC or EPEC.
Highlights
Acute diarrhea is still a serious public health issue
enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is associated with the development of a characteristic intestinal histopathological lesion, known as attaching and effacing (A/E), which generates a condition of watery diarrhea in the affected patient
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and EPEC samples isolated from fecal specimens of children with acute diarrhea, in order to contribute to the establishment of a more effective empirical antibiotic therapy for the disease
Summary
Acute diarrhea is still a serious public health issue. It mainly affects children from developing countries, where poor hygiene and lack of access to basic sanitation allow their dissemination[1]. It is estimated that about 10% of deaths of children under five years of age are due to the disease[2]. Among the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) stand out. EPEC is associated with the development of a characteristic intestinal histopathological lesion, known as attaching and effacing (A/E), which generates a condition of watery diarrhea in the affected patient. ETEC, an agent of watery diarrhea, colonizes the epithelium of the small intestine and produces enterotoxins, heatlabile (LT) and/or heat-stable (ST), which interfere with intestinal absorption and secretion processes[3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
