Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Children with Bloody Diarrhea Referring to Abuzar Teaching Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Escherichia coli O157: H7 are recognized as important aetiological agents of diarrhea in children, particularly in developed countries. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the rates of detection of E. coli O157: H7strains among children in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: From June 2010 to December 2010, 137 diarrheal stool samples of children were collected. E.coli was identified by standard microbiological techniques. O157 or O157:H7 subtypes discerned by serological tests. Results: Of the 137 E. coli isolates, enteropathogens were found in 53 (38.7%) of the patients as follow: Shigella spp. (75.5%), EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli) (16.9%), Campylobacter spp. (3.8%) and Salmonella spp. (3.8%). None of the isolated E. coli was O157:H7 serotype. Conclusion: This shows that non-O157:H7 E. coli are the major cause of paediatric infections in this region of Iran.

Keywords

• diarrheal stools
• gastroenteritis
• paediatric infections
• stool samples