Molecular Diversity Survey on Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli Isolates Among Children with Gastroenteritis in Fars, Iran

Abstract

Aim: To differentiate Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheal pediatric patients in clinical laboratories. Materials & methods: Patients with watery diarrhea were selected for sampling and tested for diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) by API kit. DEC isolates were tested for phylotyping, pathotyping and presence of determined virulence-encoding genes by specific molecular methods. Results: About 50% of isolates were detected as DECs (>55 and >31% were categorized B2 and D phylotypes respectively). Enterotoxigenic E. coli was the most and enteroinvasive E. coli was the lowest prevalent pathotypes. csg and fim genes were the most present virulence factors. Conclusion: Typing of E. coli isolates from stool specimens will help to determine the diversity of diarrheal pathogens and take proper decisions to reduce the health burden of diarrheal diseases.

Keywords::

• attachment factor
• diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
• pathotypes
• phylogenetic

Author contributions

A Emami conceived, designed and supervised the study, and wrote the paper. N Pirbonyeh performed the laboratory tests. F Javanmardi did the statistical analysis and the wrote the related section. A Bazargani and A Moattari provided the clinical samples. A Keshavarzi and A Akbari contributed in case selection based on clinical criteria.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study was approved by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences ethics committee with code IR.SUMS.REC.1395.S56. Additionally, handwritten informed consent was obtained from the parents of the enrolled children.

Additional information

Funding

This study was approved by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences ethics committee with code IR.SUMS.REC.1395.S56. Additionally, handwritten informed consent was obtained from the parents of the enrolled children.