Clinical and epidemiological features of acute intestinal infections with hemorragic colitis in children

Abstract

Aim. To study the clinical and epidemiological features of acute intestinal infections associated with hemorrhagic colitis in children. Methods. The clinical and epidemiological features of hemorrhagic colitis were studied in 70 children with acute intestinal infections aged from 1 month to 14 years who were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kazan, Russia. The following stool tests were performed: single bacteriology test for pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microbiota, rotavirus antigen detection by latex agglutination, campylobacter DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction and microscopy to detect protozoa. Results. Hemorrhagic colitis was present mainly in infants (56 children, 80%), the main reasons for hemorrhagic colitis were: Salmonella enteritidis - 12 (17.1%) children, Campylobacter - 6 (8.6%) children, Klebsiella pneumoniae - 6 (8.6%) children. There were single cases of hemorrhagic colitis associated with Shigella, Enterobacter, S. aureus, Ps. aeruguinosa and E. hystolitica. The diagnosis of Campylobacter infection was based on the detection of the DNA but not the bacteria itself like in other acute intestinal infections. The majority of hemorrhagic colitis cases (52 children, 74.3%) were registered in spring and summertime. Hemorrhagic colitis was moderately severe and manifested as traces of blood and mucus in stool. Hemorrhagic colitis usually lasted up to 3 days in majority of children. Conclusion. The main reasons for acute intestinal infections associated with hemorrhagic colitis were: Salmonella enteritidis, Campilobacter and Klebsiella pneumonia, hemorrhagic colitis was most common in infants in spring and summertime.