Characteristics and Features of E. Coli gastroenteritis - Research Paper Example

Characteristics and Features of E. Coli gastroenteritis There are various strains of E.Coli bacteria living in the human gut. Although most of the bacteria strains are not harmful, some of them have harmful effects on the human. The harmful E. Coli strains lead to gastroenteritis of the gut. The condition of gastroenteritis is associated with signs and symptoms of vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. A study on various participants revealed the prevalence of the condition among children who are exposed to the unhygienic environment as well as those facing malnutrition. The condition is transmitted through personal contacts, drinking contaminated water and eating incorrectly prepared meals. Also, failure to wash one’s hands can result in the transmission. Table of Contents Abstract 1 Introduction 3 Material & Methods 4 Results 5 Discussion 6 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction Different types of E. Coli bacteria has been identified during laboratory studies on both human and animals. In the case of humans, the bacteria are found in the gut of healthy people, and it is less harmful. However, there are a few types of the bacteria that are harmful and their presence in human gut can result in infections such as gastroenteritis. For instance, various studies have associated Escherichia coli O157 with gastroenteritis in humans (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). The illness resulting from the presence of Escherichia coli O157 in the human gut can have severe consequences such as bloody diarrhea and gut infections. Various studies have suggested that various strains of E. Coli are capable of producing small enzymes (proteins) referred to as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The proteins present challenges to the concerned individual since their production enables the E. Coli bacteria to offer resistance against certain types of antibiotics medicines like cephalosporins. As a result of the resistance, the bacteria continues to develop and multiply leading to not only severe infections but also becoming difficult to treat (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). Available research evidence presents various ways through which an individual can contact gastroenteritis associated with E. Coli. For instance, the bacteria can be spread through physical contact with an infected individual, drinking contaminated water or consuming contaminated food (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Also, one can contract the bacteria by failing to wash his or her hand after changing diapers or getting out of the bathroom. Gastroenteritis has been identified through various signs and symptoms of vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, cramping, stomach pain, a headache as well as nausea. Therefore, this research will concentrate on identifying all possible characteristics and features associated with E. Coli gastroenteritis. Material & Methods The research method utilized water quality study of families that have young children between 1 to 15 years (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). The 50 families received both real and sham water treatment units and installed them in the kitchen. The each family nominated one person to be filling the questionnaire on a weekly basis, for 15 weeks. Among the information entered in the questionnaire include the presence, duration as well the severity associated with specific gastroenteritis symptoms. Also, fecal specimens were collected during gastroenteritis episodes among the participants. A sample of 500 diarrheagenic E. Coli was selected for investigation. Out of the 500 samples, 200 was from healthy individuals while 300 was from individuals who had exhibited credible gastroenteritis during the water quality study (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). Isolation of bacteria from fecal samples was achieved by the use of direct plating using MacConkey agar (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). The bacteria were incubated overnight at 370C and the entire growth transferred using sterile cotton cloth into Luria broth with 30% (vol/vol) glycerol. It was then frozen at –70°C, as required to allow identification of E. Coli strains associated with diarrhea (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Identification process relied on the use of polymerase chain reaction while confirmation utilized Southern hybridization. The method developed by the Center for Vaccine was used to determine the pattern exhibited by the bacteria during invasion and adhesion to the HEp-2 epithelial cells (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). The method of fluorescent actin staining assay, which correlates E. Coli’s ability of attaching-effacing lesions against the intestines was conducted for a period of 6-hour incubation. Also, gentamicin protection assay was used to determine the ability of E. Coli to invade HEp-2 cells (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Results The study revealed the presence of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157 in most of the samples collected from participants with gastroenteritis (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Further analysis identified increased cases among children of less than ten years. Gastroenteritis was prevalent in warmer months (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Also, the study revealed increased prevalence of E. Coli gastroenteritis among children who had suffered from malnutrition, as the individuals are susceptible to immune-compromization exposing them to the greater bacterial load especially on the mucosal surface of the gut (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). On the other hand, healthy participants were less Susceptible to the E. Coli gastroenteritis because their mucosal surfaces are well-nourished (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Also, the samples obtained from participants who had been eating unsafe meals presented a high rate of E. Coli gastroenteritis. Individuals had been eating contaminated meat, which had been washed with untreated water. The other factor identified from the study is that most individuals who had been drinking untreated water had contracted gastroenteritis than those who had access to treated water (Qadri, et al. 2005). Participants infected with E. Coli gastroenteritis exhibited various signs and symptoms. Among the features recorded in most of the questionnaires were fever, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. Other symptoms included pale and dry skin as well as dry mouth. Discussion Most of the gastroenteritis cases arise from the E. Coli strains. Among the most prevalent of gastroenteritis in humans are enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157. Although the presence of E. Coli bacteria in the human gut might not result in illnesses, the presence of the three strains identified in the results section presents possible occurrence of gastroenteritis (Bielaszewska, et al. 2011). The various tests performed revealed E. Coli’s ability of attaching-effacing lesions against the intestines. The cases were prevalent among young children who had been victims of malnutrition, as their mucosal surfaces are susceptible to being infected by various strains of E. Coli (Besser, Griffin & Slutsker, 1999). The study identified various factors as key in transmitting the E. Coli among humans. The factors included making personal contact with people who are already infected with the bacteria (Bielaszewska, et al. 2011). Also, failure to wash hands after going to the bathroom plays a role in transmitting the bacteria. Some of the participating families indicated having failed to cook their meals to the desired level. As a result, aiding the transmission of the bacteria from inadequately cooked meat to humans. Also, drinking of untreated and contaminated water presented a higher chance of people contracting the bacteria. Various tests carried out on human feces indicated the presence of different strains of E. Coli bacteria. Failure by people do not maintain quality hygiene, especially disposal of feces, leads to increased transmission of E. Coli bacteria (Bielaszewska, et al. 2011). The prevalence of E. Coli in the ecosystem will automatically result in many people suffering from Gastroenteritis of the gut (Qadri, et al. 2005). Although no satisfying conclusion was arrived at to link the spread of E. Coli gastroenteritis with warm climates, the general observation was increased symptoms of the gastroenteritis during warm seasons. Most of the participants with E. Coli gastroenteritis presented similar symptoms associating them with the disease. For instance, there were increased cases of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramp and bloody stools (Qadri, et al. 2005). Other participants reported having dry mouth and dry skin. The presence of dry mouth among patients with gastroenteritis resulted from a high rate of dehydration associated with increased vomiting and diarrhea (Bielaszewska, et al. 2011). Also, children exposed to conditions that compromise their health status were at a higher risk to be infected with E. Coli. For instance, children who frequent open fields that have poor hygiene were at a higher risk of being infected as well as those who have suffered from malnutrition. Conclusion E. Coli bacteria are the main cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Although the presence of the bacteria in humans does not always prove to be harmful, there are other strains of E. Coli that been proved to cause gastroenteritis. Both the harmless and harmful E. Coli bacteria are found in the human gut. Infection of the gut due to E. Coli bacteria has been identified to present various signs and symptoms among the infected individuals. Most of the individuals suffering from gastroenteritis complained of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration. The condition is prevalent among children exposed to the low hygienic environment. E. Coli is transmitted through many ways including personal contact, drinking contaminated water and eating foods that have not been prepared adequately. References Besser, MD, R. E., Griffin, MD, P. M., & Slutsker, MD, MPH, L. (1999). Escherichia coli o157: h7 gastroenteritis and the hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging infectious disease 1. Annual review of medicine, 50(1), 355-367. Bielaszewska, M., Mellmann, A., Zhang, W., Köck, R., Fruth, A., Bauwens, A., ... & Karch, H. (2011). Characterisation of the Escherichia coli strain associated with an outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Germany, 2011: a microbiological study. The Lancet infectious diseases, 11(9), 671-676. Qadri, F., Svennerholm, A. M., Faruque, A. S. G., & Sack, R. B. (2005). Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in developing countries: epidemiology, microbiology, clinical features, treatment, and prevention. Clinical microbiology reviews, 18(3), 465-483. Robins-Browne, R. M., Bordun, A. M., Tauschek, M., Bennett-Wood, V. R., Russell, J., Oppedisano, F., ... & Hellard, M. E. (2004). Escherichia coli and community-acquired gastroenteritis, Melbourne, Australia. Emerging infectious diseases, 10(10), 1797. Appendix Table 1: Frequency of E. Coli pathotypes in study participants with or without gastroenteritis (Robins-Browne, et al. 2004). Read More