Prevalence of enteropathogens in normal feces from healthy children at an infant day care in Brazil

Authors

  • Cláudia Moura Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Maria Clara Duarte Fregolente Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Isabel Julien Martini Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Daniela Ferreira Domingos Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Erivaldo José da Silva Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Mirtis Maria Giaciani Ferraz Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Maria Silvia Viccari Gatti Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  • Domingos da Silva Leite Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1982

Keywords:

enteropathogen, children, day-care center, Escherichia coli, rotavirus

Abstract

Introduction: The diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting mainly infants. The characterization of both viral and bacterial agents associated with gastroenteritis can establish policies for surveillance, prevention and treatment of infections. Group A rotaviruses are the major infectious agent associated with dehydration in children, followed by pathotypes of Escherichia coli. There are three main types of clinical infections caused by E. coli strains that have acquired virulence genes: (i) enteric and diarrheal diseases, (ii) urinary tract infections, and (iii) sepsis and meningitis.

Methodology: In this study, the objective was to identify the presence of rotavirus and diarrhogenic E. coli in the feces of children 4 to 14 months of age who displayed no gastroenteritis symptoms and stayed all day in a day-care center. We analyzed 188 samples using PAGE and PCR to identify rotaviruses and E. coli virulence genes, respectively.

Results: Thirty-six samples (19.1%) were positive for at least one pathotype of E. coli. Nineteen were identified to be of the EPEC group and fifteen of the EAEC group. Rotaviruses were not identified.

Conclusions: As EPEC and EAEC are potential pathogens for children less than one year of age or immunocompromised individuals, our results show the importance of appropriate monitoring by public health agencies.  In the situation that we have studied, children can be considered asymptomatic carriers of these pathogens and can transmit them to other susceptible children.  

Author Biography

Cláudia Moura, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Institute of Biology, Departmento of Genetic, Evolution and Bioagents, CP 6109, State University of Campinas, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil

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Published

2012-01-16

How to Cite

1.
Moura C, Fregolente MCD, Martini IJ, Domingos DF, Silva EJ da, Ferraz MMG, Gatti MSV, Leite D da S (2012) Prevalence of enteropathogens in normal feces from healthy children at an infant day care in Brazil. J Infect Dev Ctries 6:176–180. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1982

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Section

Original Articles