Enteric pathogens in north Indian patients with diarrhoea

Abstract

Background : Diarrhoeal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries requiring hospitalisation. AIDS and indiscriminate use of antibiotics have further worsen the condition. Objectives : To assess the etiological agents causing diarrhea with the aim to limit indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents. Methods : A cross-sectional study was done involving children and adults (of all age groups) suffering from gastrointestinal infection attending the OPD or admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. The study was analysed using chi-square test and crosstab chi-square test. Results : Of the 2534 stool samples processed, 23.2% were positive for pathogens. 4.6% were positive for Shigella species, 2.37% for Salmonella species and 1.5% for Escherichia coli (E.coli). Vibrio cholerae OI El Tor serotype Ogawa (82.55%) was more common than serotype Inaba (19.5%). Vibrio cholerae strains were generally resistant to all drugs except Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Cefotaxime. Multidrug resistant Shigella and Salmonella species was also an important observation made. However parasitic and viral (rota virus) associated diarrhea did not exceed the bacterial causes. Conclusions : New pathogens have emerged as causative organisms of diarrhoa. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to drug resistance necessitating monitoring of drug susceptibility and formulation of drug policy in hospitals.

Keywords

• Diarrhea
• Enteric Infections
• Antimicrobial Resistance