Molecular Identification of Escherichia coli EPEC Isolated from Children Under the Age of 5 Years by Multiplex PCR in Kermanshah

Infection Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of death in children. Each year, approximately two million people die worldwide of diarrhea. Entropathogenic E. coli is the most common cause of the acute and chronic diarrhea in children in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the EPEC pathotype genes and their antibiotic resistance among isolated bacteria from suspected cases of diarrhea children under age of 5 years.
A total of 150 fecal samples of diarrheic children referred to Kermanshah hospital were collected during 5 months. 55 isolates were confirmed as E.coli by biochemical and microbiological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility were tested by disk diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Multiple PCR assay was used to identify pathotype geneseae and BFP.
Findings: E.coli isolates were reported resistant to imipenem (100%) and tetracycline (73.34%) and were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (100%) and gentamicin (96.66 %). Results of M-PCR showed that three isolated (5.4%) have eae gene.
Discussion & Because of the importance of E.Coli as the main cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries, and due to increasing consumption and resistance to antibacterial agents, it is a threat for the health of patients. This study shows that the incidence of Atypical E.coli is more than typical prevalence.