Bacteria, viruses, yeasts and protozoans associated with diarrheal disease in Singapore

Epidemiology and clinical features of rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus infections and coinfections in children with acute gastroenteritis prior to rotavirus vaccine introduction in Meerut, North India

There are limited reports on the etiology of multiple enteric viruses causing acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in North India. In the present study we have determined the prevalence of three enteric viruses, namely rotavirus, astrovirus (AstV) and adenovirus (AdV) in a total of 312 diarrheic children (<5 years) hospitalized at Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh from August 2014 to July 2016; and results were compared with data from Delhi. The fecal samples were individually screened for group A rotavirus (RVA), AdV, and AstV using enzyme immunoassay kits. At least one viral agent was detected in 29.2% of 312 fecal specimens. RNA of rotavirus antigen-positive samples was extracted by TRIzol method. Rotavirus G/P genotyping was performed using seminested multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RVA was the most predominant virus (18.3%) followed by AstV (12.5%), and AdV (9.9%). Coinfections were detected in 10.6% cases and the most common coinfection in diarrheic children was RVA combined with AstV (36.4%). Overall, the enteric viruses were found most prevalent in the 6 to 11 months age group (P = .01). Increased duration of vomiting (≥3 days) was significantly (P = .04) associated with AdV infection (61.3%) as compared with AstV (30.76%) and rotavirus (26.31%). G1P[8] was detected throughout as the most prevalent rotavirus strain (10.5%). Unusual RV strains like G2P[6] and G2P[8] were also detected. Of note G3, G4, and G12 rotavirus were detected for the first time in Meerut. This is the first report that demonstrated the important contribution of multiple enteric viruses causing AGE in young children in this part of Uttar Pradesh (Meerut).

The Biological Fight Against Pathogenic Bacteria and Protozoa

The animal gastrointestinal tract is a tube with two open ends; hence, from the microbial point of view it constitutes an open system, as opposed to the circulatory system that must be a tightly closed microbial-free environment. In particular, the human intestine spans ca. 200 m² and represents a massive absorptive surface composed of a layer of epithelial cells as well as a paracellular barrier. The permeability of this paracellular barrier is regulated by transmembrane proteins known as claudins that play a critical role in tight junctions.

Prevalence of Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Astrovirus Infections among Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis in, Northern Iran

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis associated with diarrheal diseases in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

METHODS

A total of 400 symptomatic cases from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Mazandaran Province in Iran were screened using EIA method for the presence of rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus during 2005-2006. Chi-square tests were used for testing relationships between different variables.

RESULTS

Rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus were detected in 62%, 2.3%, and 3% of samples, respectively. The maximum rate of rotaviruses was detected in the <1-year-old age group, while minimum rate was found in the 10 years and older age group. Astrovirus and adenovirus were detected predominantly in the 2-5-year-old age group of children, with a prevalence of 8.3% and 3.5% respectively. All studied viral gastroenteritis peaked in the winter, and minimum rate were found in summer.

CONCLUSION

Our statistical analyzes indicated that viral gastroenteritis, especially Rota-viral, had the highest number of occurrences in colder seasons notably in winter and more frequently were observed among younger children.

Surveillance of bacterial pathogens of diarrhea disease in Indonesia

Emerging or reemerging infections due to bacterial disease may be a local, regional or global problem. Bacterial acute gastroenteritis is a potential cause of substantial morbidity in travelers and deployed U.S. military personnel. A surveillance study was conducted over a two-year period in Indonesia among 6760 patients with debilitating diarrheal diseases. Of the 6,760 patients, 587 (9%) of the patient stools were positive for bacteria. The proportions of bacteria isolated from the 587 patients were: Shigella flexneri (39%), Salmonella spp. (26%), Vibrio spp. (17%), S. sonnei (7%), Campylobacter jejuni (4.4%), Salmonella typhi (3%) and S. dysenteriae (2.3%). Shigella flexneri was the most prevalent pathogen isolated, over Vibrio spp. No V. cholerae was isolated in the cities of Pontianak, Padang or Batam in Indonesia. Shigella dysenteriae reemergence was noted in Bali, Kalimantan, Batam and Jakarta after an absence of 15 years. Isolation of a high proportion of S. flexneri, and Vibrio spp. occurred during the rainy months. All bacterial isolates were susceptible to quinolones, with the exception of C. jejuni and Salmonella spp., which were resistant to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and nalidixic acid. Our findings highlight the decline of V. cholerae, the rise of S. flexneri and the reemergence of S. dysenteriae in Indonesia. The study also documents the emergence of quinolone-resistant Campylobacter spp. in the Indonesia archipelago.