title: Virulence factors of enteric Escherichia coli in young Aboriginal children in north-west Australia.
abstract: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) were the most frequently identified enteric pathogens associated with diarrhoea in 0-5 year old Aboriginal children in tropical north-west Australia with an incidence similar to those from other tropical regions. Heat-stable toxin-producing (ST+) strains were associated with diarrhoea throughout the year but heat-labile toxin-producing (LT+) strains were more important in the monsoonal summer season. ST+ strains were commonest in children with diarrhoea between 6 and 18 months of age while LT+ strains were associated with diarrhoea in children aged 18-24 months. Vero-toxigenic E. coli (VTEC) which produced VT1, but not VT2, and enteroadherent (EAF+) E. coli were significant causes of diarrhoea, mainly in children below 18 months but without a seasonal pattern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Western Australia.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Gunzburg
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gracey
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping