Studies on the pathogenicity of classical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from acute diarrhoea among children 0-5 years of age.

ABSTRACT

The mechanisms of pathogenicity in EPEC strains were studied in tissue culture. Escherichia coli was isolated as the predominant organism in the primary culture of 1293 (70.54%) diarrhoeal cases. 284 (90.44%) cases from the age group of 1-6 months showed Escherichia coli as the predominant organism. Classical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli) were detected in 311 (24.05%) cases. Among EPEC isolates 277 (89.06%) did not produce either LT or ST 32(10.28%) produced LT or ST. 2 strains produced verotoxins belong to serotypes 086; K61, 026; K60, sero groups 0.86K61, 0.142K 86, 0.128K 67, 0.126K 71, 0125K 70 0119K69 showed localised adherence and serogroups 0111K58-055K59 showed both localised and diffused adherence to HeLa cells.