This paper should be cited as: Safaari, M. Zolfaghari, MR. Shakib, P. Rouhi, S.
Prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 Isolated from Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis
Safaari, M. (MSc)1 Zolfaghari, MR. (PhD)2 Shakib, P. (MSc)3 Rouhi, S. (MSc)
1. MSc of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch, Iran
2. Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch, Iran
3. PhD Student of Molecular Epidemiology of Bacteria, Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
4. PhD Student of Molecular Epidemiology of Bacteria, Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective: Diarrheal diseases may occur in all age groups, worldwide. Escherichia coli (E. coli O157: H7) is one of the most important bacterial agents causing this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of diarrhea in patients with acute diarrhea caused by this bacterium.
Material and Methods: In this study, 214 stool samples were collected from acute diarrheic patients in hospitals and clinical laboratories of Malayer city, Iran. The samples were cultured in rich, differentiation, specific and selective medium.To detect E. coli O157: H7, rapid detection method and antisera were used
Results: In 12.15% of the samples, lactose fermentation was observed and E. coli was afirmed. The results of lactose positive samples showed that 6.54% were negative-β- Glucuronidases and were confirmed as E. coli O157. Finally, by using O157: H7 antisera, 1.87% of 14 samples that were negative- β-Glucuronidases were asserted as E. coli O157.
Conclusion: based on the results, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 is higher in children and elders than the others.Food and water play a significant role in transferring E. coli.
Keywords: Prevalence, E. coli O157: H7, Gastroenteritis, Patients
Corresponding Author: Zolfaghari, MR.
Email: microbiol_sci@yahoo.com
Received: 19
Apr 2014
Revised: 19 May 2014
Accepted: 21 May 2014