Evaluation of Molecular and Culture Method for Detection of Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella in children infected with Diarrhea

Abstract

Acute diarrhea is the second most common cause of children deaths worldwide. Bacterial pathogens have
been confirmed as the major cause of acute diarrhea among children. In this study, 100 stool samples were
investigated from pediatric children with acute diarrheal illness aged from 1 month to 5 years old. Bacterial
investigated was performed for the common enteric pathogens: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli included Microscopy, culture and confirmatory identification by biochemical
reactions included API 20E system. Finally, the real time PCR investigated for these enteric bacteria. The
overall prevalence of the pathogens for Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Diarrheagenic E. coli were
9%, 8%, 3% and 14%, respectively. The results showed significant association of the clinical symptoms with
Shigella and Salmonella infection. The RT-PCR markedly improves the detection rates of bacterial stool
pathogens and offers culture methods.