Sherin Justin1, Beena Antony2, K Varadaraj Shenoy3, Rekha Boloor4. 1. Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Father Muller Medical College , Mangalore, Karnataka, India . 2. Professor, Department of Microbiology, Father Muller Medical College , Mangalore, Karnataka, India . 3. Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Father Muller Medical College , Mangalore, Karnataka, India . 4. Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Father Muller Medical College , Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The study was intended to analyse the burden of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and associated intestinal pathogens from children with diarrhoea who were hospitalized in a tertiary care teaching hospital of South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples from 138 children with diarrhoea belonging to the age group 0-14 years were analysed by semi quantitative culture, latex agglutination and enzyme immunoassay for C. difficile. The associated intestinal pathogens were also detected from the specimens by standard procedures. RESULTS: Stool samples of 138 children were tested during the period; 21 (15.22%) samples were culture positive for C. difficile and the isolates were confirmed by biochemical reactions. 9(6.52%) were positive by latex agglutination. EIA for C. difficile toxins A and B was done on all the stool specimens and 15 were found to be positive (10.87 %). According to the reference standard method employed in our study, 4 toxigenic C. difficile isolates (2.90%) were obtained from 138 specimens. Among the other intestinal pathogens, Escherichia coli predominated (22.46%). Rota virus was detected in 7.27% stool samples of children under the age of five years. CONCLUSION: The study shows the prevalence of C. difficile in hospitalized children in our locality which highlights the importance of judicious use of antibiotics and strict infection control measures.
INTRODUCTION: The study was intended to analyse the burden of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and associated intestinal pathogens from children with diarrhoea who were hospitalized in a tertiary care teaching hospital of South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples from 138 children with diarrhoea belonging to the age group 0-14 years were analysed by semi quantitative culture, latex agglutination and enzyme immunoassay for C. difficile. The associated intestinal pathogens were also detected from the specimens by standard procedures. RESULTS: Stool samples of 138 children were tested during the period; 21 (15.22%) samples were culture positive for C. difficile and the isolates were confirmed by biochemical reactions. 9(6.52%) were positive by latex agglutination. EIA for C. difficile toxins A and B was done on all the stool specimens and 15 were found to be positive (10.87 %). According to the reference standard method employed in our study, 4 toxigenic C. difficile isolates (2.90%) were obtained from 138 specimens. Among the other intestinal pathogens, Escherichia coli predominated (22.46%). Rota virus was detected in 7.27% stool samples of children under the age of five years. CONCLUSION: The study shows the prevalence of C. difficile in hospitalized children in our locality which highlights the importance of judicious use of antibiotics and strict infection control measures.
Authors: Kathryn T Chen; Daniel J Stephens; Eric Anderson; Robert Acton; Daniel Saltzman; Donavon J Hess Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 2.545
Authors: Christopher R Polage; David L Chin; Jhansi L Leslie; Jevon Tang; Stuart H Cohen; Jay V Solnick Journal: Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2012-09-23 Impact factor: 2.803