Etiology of diarrheal infections in children of Porto Velho (Rondonia, Western Amazon region, Brazil)

Abstract

In the present study, 470 children less than 72 months of age and presenting acute diarrhea were examined to identify associated enteropathogenic agents. Viruses were the pathogens most frequently found in stools of infants with diarrhea, including 111 cases of rotavirus (23.6% of the total diarrhea cases) and 30 cases of adenovirus (6.3%). The second group was diarrheogenic Escherichia coli (86 cases, 18.2%), followed by Salmonella sp (44 cases, 9.3%) and Shigella sp (24 cases, 5.1%). Using the PCR technique to differentiate the pathogenic categories of E. coli, it was possible to identify 29 cases (6.1%) of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Of these, 10 (2.1%) were typical EPEC and 19 (4.0%) atypical EPEC. In addition, there were 26 cases (5.5%) of enteroaggregative E. coli, 21 cases (4.4%) of enterotoxigenic E. coli, 7 cases (1.4%) of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and 3 cases (0.6%) of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. When comparing the frequencies of diarrheogenic E. coli, EPEC was the only category for which significant differences were found between diarrhea and control groups. A low frequency of EIEC was found, thus EIEC cannot be considered to be a potential etiology agent of diarrhea. Simultaneous infections with two pathogens were found in 39 diarrhea cases but not in controls, suggesting associations among potential enteropathogens in the etiology of diarrhea. The frequent association of diarrheogenic E. coli strains was significantly higher than the probability of their random association, suggesting the presence of facilitating factor(s).

Rotavirus and adenovirus in Rondônia

“…The major intestinal parasites Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were responsible for others 16 cases. These data are shown in our other study (Orlandi et al 2006). Search for rotavirus was assessed by EIA to rotavirus and LA kit.…”

“…Of 470 children from the diarrhea group, Rotavirus A and adenovirus were responsible for 141 cases of diarrhea. The etiology of others 174 cases of diarrhea is shown in other study, at which major enteropathogenic of bacteria and protozoa groups were responsible for them (Orlandi et al 2006). However in 155 cases of diarrhea the etiology could not be determined.…”

“…In this study, the frequency of adenovirus was 6.4%. Orlandi et al (2006) report that rotavirus infection represents the main cause of gastroenteritis. Of 470 children from the diarrhea group, Rotavirus A and adenovirus were responsible for 141 cases of diarrhea.…”

High occurrence of Entamoeba histolytica in the municipalities of Ariquemes and Monte Negro, State of Rondônia, Western Amazonia, Brazil

“…ORLANDI et al 10,11 investigated the etiology of acute diarrheas in infants in Porto Velho, the capital of the state of Rondônia, and found rotavirus as the major etiological agent associated with the disease. However, mixed infections were frequent, associating rotavirus, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp with cysts of E. histolytica/E.…”

“…However, cases of diarrheal infections in children are frequent, with the presence of mixed infections associating several enteropathogenic agents 10,11 .…”