Pathogenic Enteric Bacteria Research Articles

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of White Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Fruit Extracts.

The fruit of mulberry trees (Morus sp.), mulberries, are traditionally utilised as a nutritional food and provide health benefits as well as skin nourishment in Thailand. White mulberries (Morus alba L.) from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activities as well as the total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The aqueous extracts of mulberries exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, which was associated with a higher phenolic and anthocyanin content. In testing the potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae, the mulberry extracts proved to be quite efficient, especially following water extraction. Time-kill and antibacterial adhesion assays further indicated that aqueous mulberry extracts could inhibit bacterial growth and prevent adhesions of pathogenic enteric bacteria on intestinal epithelial cells. It thus appears that mulberries can potentially be consumed as a good source of antioxidants, containing antimicrobial properties against some pathogenic bacteria which cause gastrointestinal tract infections.

Nanoflow LC-MS Method Allowing In-Depth Characterization of Natural Heterogeneity of Complex Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides.

The variable modification of the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Gram-negative bacteria contributes to bacterial pathogenesis through various mechanisms, including the development of antibiotic resistance and evasion of the immune response of the host. Characterizing the natural structural repertoire of LPS is challenging due to the high heterogeneity, branched architecture, and strong amphipathic character of these glycolipids. To address this problem, we have developed a method enabling the separation and structural profiling of complex intact LPS mixtures by using nanoflow reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (nLC) coupled to electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-MSn). Nanogram quantities of rough-type LPS mixtures from Neisseria meningitidis could be separated and analyzed by nLC-ESI-FT-MS. Furthermore, the method enabled the analysis of highly heterogeneous smooth (S)-type LPS from pathogenic enteric bacteria such as Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and Escherichia coli serotype O111:B4. High-resolution, accurate mass spectra of intact LPS containing various lengths of the O-specific polysaccharide in the range of 3 and 15 kDa were obtained. In addition, MS/MS experiments with collision-induced dissociation of intact LPS provided detailed information on the composition of oligo/polysaccharides and lipid A domains of single S-type LPS species. The structural heterogeneity of S-type LPS was characterized by unprecedented details. Our results demonstrate that nLC-ESI-FT-MSn is an attractive strategy for the structural profiling of small quantities of complex bacterial LPS mixtures in their intact form.

Lead and coliform contaminants in groundwater sources in peri-urban areas of Makurdi, Nigeria


 
 
 Benue State has one of the most populated state capitals in North-central Nigeria, suffering from acute water shortage despite River Benue that runs through the town. The combined effect of inadequate potable water supply and the polluted nature of the River has pushed the populace, especially peri-urban residents, to resort to water from wells and boreholes. This study investigates the possible contamination by lead, and some waterborne pathogenic bacterial burden of water from wells and boreholes. Four peri-urban areas of Makurdi, Nigeria, were selected for the study. A total of 768 samples were randomly collected, 192 from each location.The presence of lead was quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, while the bacteriological assessment was done using Multiple Tube Fermentation Techniques and biochemical tests. The mean value for lead at the different sampling sites ranged from 0.030 to 0.079mg/L. The mean value of lead in all the wells and locations was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the WHO recommended values of 0.01 mg/L for lead. Five species of pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified, namely E. coli, Salmonella subsp 3B, Enterobacter pagglomeran complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter freundii. The mean value for E. coli at the different well types ranged from 0.000 to 0.401 CFUX10 and were significantly (P<0.05) different. Water from wells in Makurdi had high lead concentration as well as enteric pathogenic bacteria that render it not fit for human consumption. It is recommended that regulatory agencies should protect wells through the development of relevant guidelines to address the risk of water contamination.
 
 

Aerobactin-Mediated Iron Acquisition Enhances Biofilm Formation, Oxidative Stress Resistance, and Virulence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

Aerobactin is a citrate-hydroxamate siderophore that is critical for the virulence of pathogenic enteric bacteria. However, although the aerobactin-producing iucABCD-iutA operon is distributed widely in the genomes of Yersinia species, none of the pathogenic Yersinia spp. was found to produce aerobactin. Here, we showed that the iucABCD-iutA operon in the food-borne enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YPIII is a functional siderophore system involved in iron acquisition. The expression of the operon was found to be directly repressed by the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in an iron concentration-dependent manner. In addition, we demonstrated that the aerobactin-mediated iron acquisition contributes to bacterial growth under iron-limited conditions. Moreover, we provided evidence that aerobactin plays important roles in biofilm formation, resistance to oxidative stress, ROS removal, and virulence of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Overall, our study not only uncovered a novel strategy of iron acquisition in Y. pseudotuberculosis but also highlighted the importance of aerobactin in the pathogenesis of Y. pseudotuberculosis.

Comparison between Whatman FTA Elute Cards and Conventional Swab for the Detection of Pathogenic Enteric Bacteria Using an RT-qPCR Assay.

The emergence of outbreaks of foodborne illness is closely associated with food contamination caused by various enteric pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The control of enteric pathogens poses a challenge due to the fact that these pathogens can persist for a long period of time in the environment. The rapid detection of pathogenic organisms plays a crucial role in the prevention and identification of crises related to health, safety, and well-being. Improper sample handling and processing may influence the diagnostic efficacy and accuracy. The aim of the present study was to compare the preservation capacity for enteric bacteria between Whatman Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards and swabs for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) detection. It was found that Whatman FTA cards exhibited an improved preservation capacity for five types (both laboratory and environmental strains) of enteric bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus for RT-qPCR detection. Hence, Whatman FTA cards may be a suitable tool for the routine isolation of foodborne bacteria for molecular diagnosis. Therefore, the use of Whatman FTA cards for sample collection and preservation may increase sensitivity and accuracy for bacteria isolation and diagnosis.

Toilet hygiene—review and research needs

The goal of good toilet hygiene is minimizing the potential for pathogen transmission. Control of odours is also socially important and believed to be a societal measure of cleanliness. Understanding the need for good cleaning and disinfecting is even more important today considering the potential spread of emerging pathogens such as SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. While the flush toilet was a major advancement in achieving these objectives, exposure to pathogens can occur from failure to clean and disinfect areas within a restroom, as well as poor hand hygiene. The build‐up of biofilm within a toilet bowl/urinal including sink can result in the persistence of pathogens and odours. During flushing, pathogens can be ejected from the toilet bowl/urinal/sink and be transmitted by inhalation and contaminated fomites. Use of automatic toilet bowl cleaners can reduce the number of microorganisms ejected during a flush. Salmonella bacteria can colonize the underside of the rim of toilets and persist up to 50 days. Pathogenic enteric bacteria appear in greater numbers in the biofilm found in toilets than in the water. Source tracking of bacteria in homes has demonstrated that during cleaning enteric bacteria are transferred from the toilet to the bathroom sinks and that these same bacteria colonize cleaning tools used in the restroom. Quantitative microbial risk assessment has shown that significant risks exist from both aerosols and fomites in restrooms. Cleaning with soaps and detergents without the use of disinfectants in public restrooms may spread bacteria and viruses throughout the restroom. Odours in restrooms are largely controlled by ventilation and flushing volume in toilet/urinals. However, this results in increased energy and water usage. Contamination of both the air and surfaces in restrooms is well documented. Better quantification of the risks of infection are needed as this will help determine what interventions will minimize these risks.

Determination of Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Capabilities of Purified Allium sativum Extract to Multidrug Resistant Enteric Bacteria

There is much concern on spread of pathogenic enteric bacteria and there resistance to commercially available antibiotics. There is a need for development of a new reliable drug for the treatment of diseases caused by these bacteria. This study determines the antimicrobial capabilities of purified Allim sativum extract to multidrug resistant enteric bacteria. In-vitro antibacterial properties of the extract was carried out using agar well diffusion technique against antibiotics resistant enteric bacteria. The results revealed that Seven fractions of partially purified water extract of Allium sativum (fraction 5-11) had significant zone of inhibition to the test enteric bacteria. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) spectra revealed the presence of 24 functional groups in functional groups in water extract of A. sativum. Also, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry revealed the presence of different compounds in water extract of Allium sativum.

Egyptian chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) during germination: Upgrading of phenolic profile, antioxidant, antibacterial properties and relevant enzymes activities.

Little studies on chia sprouts were not deeply address the polyphenols profiles and their functional properties during long period of germination. This study aims to evaluate the impact of germination process on the phenolic profile, antioxidant and antibacterial properties and relevant enzymes activities of Egyptian chia seeds. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of chia sprouts increased several times during ten days of germination and maximized on 7-day sprouts (6.4 and 11.5 folds, respectively). In HPLC analysis, seventeen phenolic compounds were detected on 7-day sprouts compared to fifteen in dry seeds, where two new phenolic compounds (p-coumaric acid and kaempferol) were detected. The concentrations of all the identified phenolic compounds increased several folds (1.8-27) on 7-day sprouts. The total antioxidant activity increased 10, 17, and 29 folds on 7-day sprouts using DPPH, ABTS and PMC antioxidant methods, respectively compared to the dry seeds. Both antioxidant and carbohydrate-cleaving enzymes increased in chia sprouts and correlated with their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The phenolic content of 7-day sprouts showed a potent antibacterial activity against some human enteric pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli O157-H7, Salmonellatyphi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with lower MIC values compared to the raw seeds.

Isolation of Probiotic Lactobacilli from Indigenous Yogurt and Cheese and Their Antagonistic Roles Against Foodborne Pathogens

Background: Probiotic bacteria are one of the useful dietary supplements for human health. The main reason for selecting probiotics is the lack of prolonged side effects. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate lactobacilli from traditional yogurt and cheese samples collected in Neyshabur city, Khorasan Razavi, Iran, and to characterize them using specific biochemical and molecular assays. Methods: The probiotic potency of bacteria was tested by resistance to acid, bile, NaCl, and organic acid production. Moreover, the antagonistic effects of the isolates were investigated against enteric pathogenic bacteria using the well diffusion method. Bacteriocin production was also investigated using the microtiter plate assay. Results: Four Lactobacillus spp. with > 99% homology to L. reuteri, L. plantarum, and L. acidophilus, were isolated with probiotic potency. The quantitative measurements used in the study with the statistical analysis resulted in the interpretation of good effects against Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Our isolates exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity, excellent NaCl and acid tolerance (pH = 3), and bacteriocin production. Conclusions: Our results showed that Lactobacillus strains isolated from Neyshabur traditional cheese could be considered good potential probiotic strains and had more antagonistic activity against human pathogens when compared to other samples. Their antibacterial activity was associated with both bacteriocin and organic acids production, but they should be further investigated for their human health benefits.

High prevalence of antibiotic resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from healthy human sources in community settings

Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis that requires urgent action to stop its spread. To counteract the spread of antibiotic resistance, we must improve our understanding of the origin and spread of resistant bacteria in both community and healthcare settings. Unfortunately, little attention is being given to contain the spread of antibiotic resistance in community settings (i.e., locations outside of a hospital inpatient, acute care setting, or a hospital clinic setting), despite some studies have consistently reported a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the community settings. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in commensal Escherichia coli isolates from healthy humans in community settings in LMICs. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we synthesized studies conducted from 1989 to May 2020. A total of 9363 articles were obtained from the search and prevalence data were extracted from 33 articles and pooled together. This gave a pooled prevalence of antibiotic resistance (top ten antibiotics commonly prescribed in LMICs) in commensal E. coli isolates from human sources in community settings in LMICs of: ampicillin (72% of 13,531 isolates, 95% CI: 65–79), cefotaxime (27% of 6700 isolates, 95% CI: 12–44), chloramphenicol (45% of 7012 isolates, 95% CI: 35–53), ciprofloxacin (17% of 10,618 isolates, 95% CI: 11–25), co-trimoxazole (63% of 10,561 isolates, 95% CI: 52–73), nalidixic acid (30% of 9819 isolates, 95% CI: 21–40), oxytetracycline (78% of 1451 isolates, 95% CI: 65–88), streptomycin (58% of 3831 isolates, 95% CI: 44–72), tetracycline (67% of 11,847 isolates, 95% CI: 59–74), and trimethoprim (67% of 3265 isolates, 95% CI: 59–75). Here, we provided an appraisal of the evidence of the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance by commensal E. coli in community settings in LMICs. Our findings will have important ramifications for public health policy design to contain the spread of antibiotic resistance in community settings. Indeed, commensal E. coli is the main reservoir for spreading antibiotic resistance to other pathogenic enteric bacteria via mobile genetic elements.

Emerging Sanitary Engineering of Biosolids: Elimination of Salmonella , Escherichia coli , and Coliforms by means of Atmospheric Pressure Air Cold Plasma

Abstract Biosolids contain high amounts of human pathogenic bacteria that are excreted in feces and urine. The enteric pathogenic bacteria Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli (enteropathogenic and ent...

Enteric pathogenic bacteria and resistance gene carriage in the homeless population in Marseille, France.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and resistance genes in rectal samples collected among homeless persons in Marseille, France. In February 2014 we enrolled 114 sheltered homeless adults who completed questionnaires and had rectal samples collected. Eight types of enteric bacteria and 15 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were sought by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) performed directly on rectal samples. ARG-positive samples were further tested by conventional PCR and sequencing. We evidenced a 17.5% prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, a 9.6% prevalence of enteric pathogenic bacteria carriage, including Escherichia coli pathotypes (8.7%) and Tropheryma whipplei (0.9%). Only 2 persons carried blaCTX-M-15 resistance genes (1.8%), while other genes, including carbapenemase-encoding genes and colistin-resistance genes, (mcr-1 to mcr-6, mcr-8) were not detected. Our results suggest that sheltered homeless persons in Marseille do not have a high risk of harbouring gastrointestinal antibiotic resistant bacteria.

The Immunopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease Is Related to the Composition of Gut Microbiota.

The microbiota–gut–brain axis plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Commensal and pathogenic enteric bacteria can influence brain and immune system function by the production of lipopolysaccharides and amyloid. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome induces local and consecutively systemic immune-mediated inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines then trigger neuroinflammation and finally neurodegeneration. Immune-mediated oxidative stress can lead to a deficiency of vitamins and essential micronutrients. Furthermore, the wrong composition of gut microbiota might impair the intake and metabolization of nutrients. In patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) significant alterations of the gut microbiota have been demonstrated. Standard Western diet, infections, decreased physical activity and chronic stress impact the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. A higher abundancy of “pro-inflammatory” gut microbiota goes along with enhanced systemic inflammation and neuroinflammatory processes. Thus, AD beginning in the gut is closely related to the imbalance of gut microbiota. Modulation of gut microbiota by Mediterranean diet, probiotics and curcumin can slow down cognitive decline and alter the gut microbiome significantly. A multi-domain intervention approach addressing underlying causes of AD (inflammation, infections, metabolic alterations like insulin resistance and nutrient deficiency, stress) appears very promising to reduce or even reverse cognitive decline by exerting positive effects on the gut microbiota.

Iron Reshapes the Gut Microbiome and Host Metabolism.

Compelling studies have established that the gut microbiome is a modifier of metabolic health. Changes in the composition of the gut microbiome are influenced by genetics and the environment, including diet. Iron is a potential node of crosstalk between the host-microbe relationship and metabolic disease. Although iron is well characterized as a frequent traveling companion of metabolic disease, the role of iron is underappreciated because the mechanisms of iron's influence on host metabolism are poorly characterized. Both iron deficiency and excessive amounts leading to iron overload can have detrimental effects on cardiometabolic health. Optimal iron homeostasis is critical for regulation of host immunity and metabolism in addition to regulation of commensal and pathogenic enteric bacteria. In this article we review evidence to support the notion that altering composition of the gut microbiome may be an important route via which iron impacts cardiometabolic health. We discuss reshaping of the microbiome by iron, the physiological significance and the potential for therapeutic interventions.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Gastrointestinal Carriage of Pathogenic Gram Negative Enteric Bacteria among Apparently Healthy Food Handlers of Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background. Foodborne diseases are major public health problems in developing countries like Ethiopia. Food handlers with poor personal hygiene working in hospitals could be infected with different intestinal parasites and pathogenic enteric bacteria. Therefore, they could pose a potential risk of foodborne infection to patients and the community. Methods. An institutional based cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2017. Besides, sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, freshly passed stool specimens for direct wet mount smear examination, and formalin ether concentration techniques performed for the detection of parasites. For bacterial identification culture, biochemical tests and antimicrobial sensitivity (Kirby-Baure disk diffusion method) have been performed. Finally, validated data were analyzed using statistical package for social science version 20 (SPSS). Results. From 368 food handlers who participated in the study, 81% were females. 119 (32.34%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. The most prevalent parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 48 (13%), followed by Giardia lamblia 36 (9.78%), Taenia Species 21 (5.7%), Ascaris lumbricoide 8 (2.2%), Trichuris trichiura 5 (1.4%), and Hook worm 1 (0.3%). Regarding the prevalence of enteric bacteria 17(4.6%), food handlers were positive for Salmonella 14 (3.8%) and Shigella flexneri 3 (0.8%). No E. coli O157 : H7 was isolated. All 100% (n = 14) Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin (10 µg) and erythromycin (15 µg). Similarly, 100% (n = 3) of Shigella flexneri isolates were resistant to ampicillin (10 µg) and tetracycline (30 µg). 14.3% (n = 2) Salmonella and 66.7% (n = 2) Shigella flexneri isolates were MDR. Conclusion. The study showed significant carriage of pathogenic microorganisms among food handlers. Therefore, hospital administrators and other stake holders should put measures in place to break chain of transmission routes from silent carrier to other peoples particularly patients at hospital and the community at large.

Sediment re-suspension as a potential mechanism for viral and bacterial contaminants

Pathogenic enteric viruses and bacteria tend to occur in higher concentrations and survive longer in aquatic sediments than suspended in the water column. Re-suspension of these organisms can result in a significant degradation of overlying water quality. Additionally, the re-suspension of microbial pathogens in artificial irrigation canals could endanger the consumption of fresh and ready-to-eat produce. Irrigation water has been implicated in numerous fresh produce outbreaks over the last 30 years. This study aimed to quantify the proportions of bacterial and viral re-suspension from sediment in a recirculating flume with varying velocities. MS2 coliphage and Escherichia coli were found to re-suspend at rates that were not significantly different, despite organism size differences. However, E. coli re-suspension rates from sand and clay were significantly different. This suggests that likely sediment-associated particles were recovered with the organisms attached. Similar re-suspension rates are hypothesized to be due to the dynamics of sediment transport, rather than that of the organisms themselves. This study also indicated that the re-suspension of sediment at very low velocities (e.g., less than 10 cm/s), could impact the microbiological quality of the overlaying water. Results from this study conclude that sediment could be a viable mechanism for irrigation water contamination.

Shigella impairs human T lymphocyte responsiveness by hijacking actin cytoskeleton dynamics and T cell receptor vesicular trafficking.

Strategies employed by pathogenic enteric bacteria, such as Shigella, to subvert the host adaptive immunity are not well defined. Impairment of T lymphocyte chemotaxis by blockage of polarised edge formation has been reported upon Shigella infection. However, the functional impact of Shigella on T lymphocytes remains to be determined. Here, we show that Shigella modulates CD4+ T cell F‐actin dynamics and increases cell cortical stiffness. The scanning ability of T lymphocytes when encountering antigen‐presenting cells (APC) is subsequently impaired resulting in decreased cell–cell contacts (or conjugates) between the two cell types, as compared with non‐infected T cells. In addition, the few conjugates established between the invaded T cells and APCs display no polarised delivery and accumulation of the T cell receptor to the contact zone characterising canonical immunological synapses. This is most likely due to the targeting of intracellular vesicular trafficking by the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) effectors IpaJ and VirA. The collective impact of these cellular reshapings by Shigella eventually results in T cell activation dampening. Altogether, these results highlight the combined action of T3SS effectors leading to T cell defects upon Shigella infection.

Efficacy of Kombucha Obtained from Green, Oolong, and Black Teas on Inhibition of Pathogenic Bacteria, Antioxidation, and Toxicity on Colorectal Cancer Cell Line.

Kombucha tea is a refreshing beverage that is produced from the fermentation of tea leaves. In this study, kombucha tea was prepared using 1% green tea, oolong tea, and black tea, and 10% sucrose with acetic acid bacteria and yeast. The pH values of the kombucha tea were found to be in a range of 2.70–2.94 at 15 days of fermentation. The lowest pH value of 2.70 was recorded in the kombucha prepared from black tea. The total acidity of kombucha prepared from black tea was the highest by 16.75 g/L and it was still maintained after heat treatment by boiling and after autoclaved. Six organic acids: glucuronic, gluconic, D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone, ascorbic, acetic, and succinic acid in kombucha tea were detected by HPLC with the optimization for organic acids detection using isocratic elution buffer with C18 conventional column. The highest level of organic acid was gluconic acid. Kombucha prepared from green tea revealed the highest phenolic content and antioxidation against DPPH radicals by 1.248 and 2.642 mg gallic acid/mL kombucha, respectively. Moreover, pathogenic enteric bacteria: Escherichia coli. E. coli O157:H7. Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella Typhi, and Vibrio cholera were inhibited by kombucha and heat-denatured kombucha with diameter of the inhibition zones ranged from 15.0 ± 0.0–25.0 ± 0.0 mm. In addition, kombucha prepared from green tea and black tea demonstrated toxicity on Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, kombucha tea could be considered as a potential source of the antioxidation, inhibition of pathogenic enteric bacteria, and toxicity on colorectal cancer cells.

Diarrheal correlates associated with enteric bacterial infections among children below five years in Murang'a County, Kenya.

IntroductionThe burden of childhood diarrheal disease has resulted in massive mortality and morbidity globally. Children below 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa are most implicated by diarrheal illnesses resulting in numerous medical consultations, admissions, and deaths despite the disease being easy to prevent and control. The study aimed to determine the correlates of enteric bacterial infection causing diarrhea.MethodsDuring the months of April-October 2017, 163 children below five years presenting with diarrhea were randomly selected in Murang'a and Muriranja's hospitals. Bacterial agents were identified and correlates of diarrhea determined. The study used a hospital-based cross-sectional study design. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information from the guardian. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v. 13.ResultsForty-nine children were infected with enteric pathogenic bacteria (Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio species). Factors associated with infection by these bacteria among the 49 children were evaluated. Children between 0-12 months (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8), those fed exclusively on breast milk (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-0.9) and children weighing 1-5 kilograms (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.04-0.9) were less likely to be infected with these enteric pathogenic bacteria. Female participants (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.4) were nearly twice likely to be infected with enteric pathogenic bacteria. Children who presented with watery stool (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9) or mucoid stool (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) remained associated with enteric pathogenic bacterial infection but less likely to be infected compared to those who presented with watery-blood stained stools. Piped water (OR 0.01, 95% CI 0.01-0.4) was less associated with enteric bacterial infection than water stored in jerry-cans while storing water without a lid (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.7) was more likely to lead to bacterial infection. Hand washing after toilet use (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.7) was associated with enteric bacterial infection compared to hand washing before meal preparation.ConclusionSanitation, hygiene, nutritional and clinical factors were associated with enteric bacterial infections causing diarrhea among children below five years in the study area. Childhood diarrhea in Murang'a County is a major public health problem.

Enterococci may not present the pollution of most enteric pathogenic bacteria in recreational seawaters of Xinghai bathing Beach, China

Abstract Many un-developed countries select fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) based on the recommendation of the U.S. EPA, or WHO criteria. To prove its applicability in China, FIB, human markers, and 15 typical bacterial pathogens were assessed using both culture dependent and independent methods (PCR, gene chip, and quantitative PCR) in Xinghai bathing beach of China. In most cases, enterococcus can indicate the pollution phenomenon of the main pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas caviae and Streptococcus faecalis), while only correlated with human Bacteroides and Staphylococcus aureus, which all suggested that the use of enterococci may not accurately assess the risk of most enteric pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, periodic surveying of human specific Bacteroides is strongly recommended, the monitoring of the most prevalent enteric pathogen, Aeromonas caviae, and the autochthonous pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus should also be taken into consideration in the routine monitoring to protect bathers health.