study of enteropathogenic microbial agents of diarrhoea disease in Rawalpindi/Islamabad areas

ABSTRACT

Acute diarrhoea has a world wide distribution and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children in many developing countries. A total of 1200 stool specimens from the patients suffering from diarrhoea were analyzed for enteropathogenic microbial agents. A significant number [49.3%] revealed microbial agents as causative agent, while in 50.6% cases no pathogenic organism could be isolated. The main causative agents were bacteria [60.3%]. The viruses [21.96%] and parasites [17.74% contributed relatively less number of cases. Out of the bacterial pathogens, E. coli was the predominant organism 135 [37.81%] followed by Shigella spp, 87 [24.4%]. The Salmonella spp. constituted 79 [22.12%] and Vibrio app 40 [11.20%]. Out of the 105 parasite infected cases, Giardia lamblia comprised 95 [90.5%] followed by E. histolytica 10 [9.5%]. Among the viral causes, Rota virus was found in 130 [12.96%] of all diarrhoeal stools. The mixed infection due to enteropathogenic E. coli and Rota viruses was also found in a few children. Therefore we conclude that diarrhoneal diseases are prevalent in the population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad areas. Bacteria are the main causative agents as compared to viruses and parasites. The cause of diarrhoea should be established well before treatment and no diarrhoeal case should go undiagnosed