SHIGELLA, E. COLI AND SALMONELLA: A DIARRHEAL PATHOGENS SPECTRUM OF PATIENTS ATTENDING PINDIGA COTTAGE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction:
Bacterial infections significantly contribute to infectious diarrhea, leading to high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Diarrhea-causing bacteria, including Shigella, Salmonella, and E. coli, are linked to poor sanitation, nutrition, and low immunity, particularly in children.
Methodology:
Patients who reported diarrhea were targeted, and stool samples were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological, cultural, and biochemical techniques for the identification of the targeted bacteria.
Results:
Six different bacteria were identified with a mean number of isolates of 45.5 and 54.5 of the male and female samples, respectively. The most commonly isolated bacteria were: Shigella sp. Mean number of isolates was 7.8±9.5 for males and 13.0±10.3 for females, E. coli sp. The mean number of isolates was 11.0±7.9 and 9.0±4.9 for males and females prospectively. Salmonella typhi were 6.4±4.4 and 6.8±3.6 for males and females, S. paratyphi mean number was 3.8±4.0 males and 3.8±4.9 females, Vibrio sp. was only isolated among males, with an average of 0.2±0.5, and E. coli O157; H7 mean numbers were 0.4±0.9, and 0.2±.4 for males and females. In general, Shigella sp., E. coli sp., and Salmonella typhi were significantly higher than other species, and children aged 0–15 years had a higher detection rate.
Conclusions:
Shigella sp., E. coli and S. typhi were the most frequently isolated bacteria in both male and female samples, especially among children aged 0–15. This emphasizes the need for public health policies and interventions focused on improving sanitation, vaccination, nutrition, addressing gender-specific risk factors, and reducing bacterial infections among children under five.