RESUMO
200 cases of suspected bacterial gastroenteritis were the subject of this study for the various bacterial species involved in the pathogenesis of gastroenteritis, detection of cases with significant bacteriuria, correlation between the organisms found in the stools and urine and between the occurrence of U.T.I. and the state of nutrition and hydration of the same cases. Blood cultures were done in some cases as well. Pathogenic organisms were isolated from stools in 76% of gastroenteritis cases [E. Coli 26%, Shigella dysenteriae 24%, Klebsiella aeruginosae 7%, Klebsiella ozaenae 5%, Proteus mirabilis 3%, Proteus vulgaris 1%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2% and Staph. Aureus 2%]. Bacteriological examination of urine showed that 16% of all cases had significant bacterial count. E. coli was isolated in 75% of cases, Klebsiella aeruginosa in 18% and Proteus mirabilis in 6.2%. Serotyping of E. Coli strains isolated from both urine and stools showed that combined urinary tract infection and gastroenteritis, were caused by the same serotypes in 18 cases. Klebsiella and Proteus, isolated from the stools and urine, had the same biochemical reaction shown by APII-20E test. Dehydration and/or malnutrition significantly enhanced the occurrence of U.T.I. in the studied cases, either through the ascending route mainly or blood-borne through the intestinal mucosa. 8 cases [16%] out of 50 presented with bacteremia. E. Coli serotype O86B7 was isolated from 3 cases of blood culture. This serotype was the same as that isolated from urine and stools. Klebsiella and Proteus, isolated from the blood, had the same biochemical reaction as those isolated from urine and stools. Thus, it is advisable to perform a bacteriological culture of urine in cases of gastroenteritis, especially those complicated with dehydration and/or malnutrition