Prevalence of diarrheageanic E. coli isolated from diarrheal stool from Children under 5 years of age at Kanti Children’s Hospital

Background: Diarrhea caused by diarrheagenic E.coli are major health problem of developing countries including Nepal.Though precise data on childhood diarrhea by diarrheagenic E.coli in Nepal is not available. It has been estimated that approximately 25% of  child death are associated with diarrhea.This study was thus carried out to evaluate the  incidence of diarrhea by diarrheagenic E.coli in children under 5 years of age. The study was conducted at  Kanti Children’s hospital (KCH), Maharajgunj.  A total of 200 samples were enrolled between March 2018 to August 2018. Methods: All the diarrheal stool samples were cultured on Mac Conkey agar plate. After 24 hours of incubation at 37  degree celcius. If it produce Lactose Fermenting (LF) pink coloured colonies  further confirmatory test was done by different biochemical test. Whether it was E. coli or not.If it was E.coli then further sub cultured on Mac Conkey Sorbitol (MSA) agar to isolate diarrheagenic E. coli. Next day if there seen Non Sorbitol Formenting (NSF) colonies, it was identified as diarrheagenic E. Coli. because most other E.coli strains and other Enterobacteria ferment sorbitol but diarrheagenic E.coli do not ferment Sorbitol and is non sorbitol fermenting colourless colonies. Results: Out of total enrolled cases, 20 (10%) were diarrheagenic E. coli. Gentamycin, Chloramphenicol and third generation Cephalosporin showed 100% efficacy against diarrheagenic  E.coli . Conclusion: The incidence of disease  was more prevalent in children below 2 years. Diarrheagenic E. coli were found to be a significant cause of diarrhea under 5 years of age. Awareness of improving hygiene reduce the episode of diarrhea.