Prevalence of Pathotypes of Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli among Diarrhea Patients in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are important pathogens causing diarrhea in humans. Detection of these pathogens is difficult due to the lack of rapid diagnostic tools in most healthcare facilities and this has led to a poor diagnosis of the disease. The objective of this study was to detect diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and to determine the prevalence of the various pathotypes in patients with diarrhea in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred Escherichia coli isolates from stool samples of diarrhea patients attending the General Hospital Kwali were analyzed using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction test with specific primers for the detection of five pathotypes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and Auto Radiography were used to identify the various pathotypes and determine their prevalence. Results: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli were detected in 27(27.0%) isolates and the prevalence of the pathotypes were: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli; 8(29.6%), Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; 3(11.1%), Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli; 13(48.2%) and Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli; 3(11.1%). The prevalence was highest in the age group less than five years; 12(44.4%). Conclusion: The prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was high in Kwali. There is a need for epidemiologic and public health interventions such as water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to drive down the high prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli disease in Kwali. Government should also intervene in providing and setting up rapid diagnostic tools in healthcare facilities nationwide