Screening of Infectious Causes of Diarrhea and Genetic Determination of Diarrheagenic E. coli using Multiplex PCR in under 5 Years Children in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Infectious diarrhea represents a life-threatening problem among children in developing countries. Objectives: This work aimed to study bacterial, viral and parasitic causes of acute diarrhea; with genetic determination of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) in <5 years children. Methodology: Stool specimens were collected from 206 diarrheal children. Bacterial agents were isolated and identified by standard microbiological procedures. Multiplex PCR was done for genetic determination of DEC subtypes. ELISA was used for detection of viral and parasitic agents. Results: Stool specimens with at least single positive enteropathogen accounted for 98.5% with bacterial, viral and parasitic rates of 98.5%, 42.7% and 25.2%, respectively. Isolated bacteria were DEC (98.5%); Campylobacter (14%), Shigella (3.8%) and Salmonella (1.4%). Rota and Noroviruses showed prevalence of 32.5% and 5.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Infectious diarrhea were mostly due to bacterial agents. DEC and Campylobacter were predominant. EAEC and EPEC were the most genetically determined DEC subtypes.