Detection of Enteric Bacterial Pathogens (<i>Vibrio Cholerae</i> and <i>Escherichia Coli</i> O157) in Childhood Diarrhoeal Cases

Abstract

A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in stool samples collected from cases of diarrhoea in children admitted to Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) ward, Kanti Children Hospital, Maharajgung. A total of 204 stool samples collected from children below 15 years were processed at Department of Microbiology, Bir hospital during the study period, February 2004 to June 2004.The stool specimens were investigated for Vibrio cholerae, as well as E. coli O157. Bloody stools were more focused for isolation of E. coli O157. Out of 204 patients, 60.3% were male and 39.7% were female. The largest number of diarrhoeal patients belong to age group 0-5 years i.e. 112 (54.9%). Vibrio cholerae O1 was found in 86 (42.2%) cases. All V. cholerae O1 belong to Ogawa serovar and El Tor biotype. Out of 86 isolates, 52.3% were from male patient and 47.7% were from female patient. Highest incidence of V. cholerae O1 was found in age groups 5-10 (46.5%) Isolation of V. cholerae in 10 cases even in age group 0-2 was remarkable feature. Incidence of V. cholerae O1 was highest in the month of April (61.5%). E. coli O157 could not be detected in this study. Predominant or pure growth of sorbitol non fermenting (SNF) strains which were biochemically identified as E. coli but not agglutinated with E.coli antiserum were found in five cases. Tetracycline was 100 percent effective antibiotic followed by Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin to V. cholerae O1. In this study, patients suffering with cholera were mostly from Kalanki. People using municipal tap water were mostly affected (51.8%) Out of 30 isolates of processed, 22 isolates showed toxin production.

Key words: Vibrio cholerae; E. coli O157; Sorbital non fermenting; Cholera toxin.

DOI: 10.3126/sw.v5i5.2651

Scientific World, Vol. 5, No. 5, July 2007 23-26