Date of submission : May,21,2016

Acceptance Date    :  June,28,2016

Publication Date    :  Aug,20,2016

Mode of Access      : Open access

Authors                 :1Abimiku, R.H.,*1Ngwai, Y.B., 1Nkene, I.H., 2Tatfeng, Y.M.

Affiliation               :  1Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B.1022, Keffi,          Nigeria                    ;2Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Niger Delta    University, P.M.B. 071, Wilberforce Island,Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Country                : Nigeria

Contact                 :  rejoiceafrica40@gmail.com

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is among the pathogens that cause diarrhea both in developed and developing countries. Molecular detection of pathotypes of E. coli causing diarrhea in Keffi, Nigeria was carried out. Fifty (50) stool samples were collected from patients attending two health facilities in Keffi, who are suspected to have diarrhea. E. coli was isolated from the stool samples using standard microbiological methods. Molecular detection of genes encoding virulence factors of the different pathotypes of diarrhegenicE. coli(DEC) namely: enteroaggregativeE. coli(EAEC), enteroinvasiveE. coli (EIEC), enterohemorrhagicE.coli(EHEC), enteropathogenicE. coli (EPEC), and enterotoxigenicE.coli (ETEC) was carried out using multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) method. All the samples collected harbored E. coli. The order of detection frequency of DEC was: EAEC (22.0%) > EIEC and ETEC (2.0%) > EHEC and EPEC (0.0%).

The order of detection frequency of EAEC in relation to age (in years) was: 6-10 (50.0%) > 11-15 (40.0%) > 16-20 (20.0%) > 0-5 (17.2%). The frequency of detection of ETEC was 3.4% in age group 0-5 yr and EIEC was 20.0% in age group 11-15 yr. The order of detection frequency of EAEC was high in female (36.4%) than male (10.7%) respectively. The EIEC was detected only in male (2.0%) and ETEC was detected only in female (2.0%). The frequency of detection of EAEC in relation to age and gender of diarrheic patients was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Enteroaggregative E.coli was the most commonly detected DEC pathotypes; and EHEC and EPEC were not detected. A further study on the molecular detection of pathotypes of DEC in other parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria is on-going.

Key Words

Diarrheic patients, Escherichia coli, Keffi, Pathotypes.