The epidemiological and resistogram patterns of enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhoeal stools in a north Indian hospital.

ABSTRACT

We report our findings on the epidemiological and resistogram patterns of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in patients with diarrhoea in a north Indian hospital. A total of 153 diarrhoeic stool samples were cultured for E. coli. Pure or predominant growth obtained was biochemically identified, serogrouped and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Among the E. coli that could be serogrouped, there were 7 EPEC and 11 ETEC isolates, most of which were multidrug resistant. Apart from this, there were 35 untypable and 4 rough strains of E. coli. Culturing stools and testing the antibiotic susceptibility for most categories of diarrhoeagenic E. coli should be performed in cases of persistent diarrhoea and during outbreaks. This will help to study its epidemiological pattern in a particular locale. Moreover, this information coupled with the clinical picture may be valuable in deciding the need for and type of antibiotic therapy.