Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains from stools samples and food products in Colombia.

The prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in childhood diarrhea and the role of contaminated food products in disease transmission in Colombia are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to identify E. coli pathotypes, including E. coli O157:H7, from 108 stool samples from children with acute diarrhea, 38 meat samples and 38 vegetable samples. Multiplex PCR and Bax Dupont systems were used for E. coli pathotype detection. Eighteen (9.8%) E. coli diarrheagenic pathotypes were detected among all clinical and food product samples tested. Four different pathotypes were identified from clinical samples, including enteroaggregative E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, shiga-toxin producing E. coli, and enteropathogenic E. coli. Food product samples were positive for enteroaggregative and shiga-toxin producing E. coli, suggesting that meat and vegetables may be involved in transmission of these E. coli pathotypes in the community. Most E. coli strains identified belong to the phylogenetic groups A and B1, known to be associated with intestinal rather than extraintestinal E. coli clones. Our data is the first molecular E. coli report that confirms the presence of E. coli pathotypes circulating in Colombia among children with diarrhea and food products for human consumption. Implementation of multiplex PCR technology in Latin America and other countries with limited resources may provide an important epidemiological tool for the surveillance of E. coli pathotypes from clinical isolates as well as from water and food product samples.

Aislamiento e identificación de Enterobacter sakazakii en lactarios de Bogotá / Isolation and identification of Enterobacter sakazakii in milk feeders of Bogotá, D. C

Introducción. Enterobacter sakazakii es un patógeno oportunista emergente de alto riesgo, responsable de meningitis grave y enterocolitis necrosante. El principal vehículo de transmisión de esta bacteria son los productos infantiles deshidratados, debido a su contaminación después del tratamiento térmico. Objetivo. Identificar cepas de E. sakazakii en muestras de lactarios recolectadas en la ciudad de Bogotá, D.C. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron 222 muestras de 9 lactarios, de superficies estériles y no estériles, utensilios empleados para la preparación de biberones y operarios. Se realizó recuento de coliformes totales y detección de E. sakazakii utilizando el protocolo propuesto por la Food and Drug Administration y por el Sistema Automático Bax® Dupont Qualicon. Resultados. De las 222 muestras recolectadas en las clínicas de Bogotá, se reportó que 27,4% (61) de las muestras analizadas presentaban coliformes totales; se detectó la presencia de E. sakazakii en 3,6% por el método automatizado de PCR BAX Dupont a partir de muestras de biberones y superficies. Conclusiones. Se demostró la presencia de E. sakazakii en lactarios en Colombia. Debido a que este microorganismo es un patógeno oportunista de alto riesgo para neonatos y que está asociado a las prácticas higiénicas en los lactarios, la información de este estudio puede ser útil para la toma de medidas profilácticas que reduzcan el riesgo de contaminación con este patógeno para la población infantil y, también, aporta información importante para la salud pública.

Introduction: Enterobacter sakazakii is an emergent opportunistic pathogen of high risk responsible of severe meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and infants with underlying medical conditions. One of the principal transmission vehicles for the transmission of these bacteria, is the infant dehydrated formula after exposing them to the heating treatment. Objective: To identify strains of E. sakazakii in milk feeders’ samples from Bogotá. Materials and methods: 222 samples from 9 milk feeders including sterile and non sterile surfaces, utensils used for the formula preparation and food handlers were analyzed. Total coliforms counts and identification of E. sakazakii was done using the FDA protocol and the automatic system Bax ® Dupont Qualicon. Results: From de 222 samples collected from hospitals in Bogotá, it was reported that 27.4% (61) had total coliforms, and the presence of E. sakazakii was detected in 3.6% (8) from one feeding bottle and surfaces. Conclusion: The presence of E. sakazakii strains was reported in Colombian milk feeders. Because this microorganism is a high risk opportunistic pathogen for newborn infants, usually associated with hygiene practices in milk feeders, the information of this research could be useful to develop preventive measurements to reduce the risk of contamination in the infant population and provides important public health information.