title: Enteric pathogens associated with childhood diarrhea in Tripoli-Libya.
abstract: Stool samples from children < 5 years of age with diarrhea (N = 239) were examined for enteric pathogens using a combination of culture, enzyme-immunoassay, and polymerase chain reaction methods. Pathogens were detected in 122 (51%) stool samples; single pathogens were detected in 37.2% and co-pathogens in 13.8% of samples. Norovirus, rotavirus, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) were the most frequently detected pathogens (15.5%, 13.4%, and 11.2%, respectively); Salmonella, adenovirus, and Aeromonas were detected less frequently (7.9%, 7.1%, and 4.2%). The most commonly detected DEC was enteroaggregative E. coli (5.4%). Resistance to ≥ 3 antimicrobials was observed in 60% (18/30) of the bacterial pathogens. Salmonella resistance to ciprofloxacin (63.1%) has become a concern. Enteric viral pathogens were the most significant causative agents of childhood diarrhea in Tripoli. Bacterial pathogens were also important contributors to pediatric diarrhea. The emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella represents a serious health problem that must be addressed by Libyan health authorities.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Alfateh University, Tripoli, Libya. maam_ly@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahouma
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Klena
authors.forename: Zaineb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krema
authors.forename: Abdalwahed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abobker
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Treesh
authors.forename: Ezzedin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franka
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abusnena
authors.forename: Hind I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Mohammady
authors.forename: Abdulhafid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abudher
authors.forename: Khalifa Sifaw
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ghenghesh
mesh_terms: D000333:Aeromonas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D029322:Norovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015995:Prevalence; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin