Enteric bacterial contamination and chemical composition of Oral Rehydration salts packets in Yangon

ABSTRACT

In acute diarrhoea except bacillary dysentery and cholera WHO recommends fluid therapy other than antibiotics to replace dehydration. there is no information on the enteric bacterial contamination and chemical composition of ORS (oral rehydration salts) packets which are available in Yangon and thus this study was carried out. It was conducted in Yangon from December 1996 to July 1997. The packets were bought from markets, drug shops and general practitioner clinics. Each packet was dissolved in water which was first boiled and then cooled. Faecal coliform count (FCC) was determined on those solution by multiple tube method at 0,6 and 24 hour. Isolation of enteric bacterial pathogen was done by standard procedures. pH values, glucose, sodium and potassium concentrations were determined by standard methods. FCC was increased with longer duration of storage time. the enteric bacterial pathogens were not isolated from all types. pH value was acidic in solutions of "Royal D" and "Servidrat". Glucose concentration was higher and potassium concentration was lower in "Royal D" than ORS packets from Myanmar Pharmaceutical factory.