Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli o157 in Bangui and N'Goila, Central African Republic: A brief report
Tuyet, D.Thi.N.; Yassibanda, S.; Nguyen Thi, P.L.; Koyenede, M.R.; Gouali, M.; Békondi, C.; Mazzi, J.; Germani, Y.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 75(3): 513-515
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 16968932 Document Number: 598393
Escherichia coli O157:H7 producing Shiga like toxins is a food-borne pathogen frequently isolated in Bangui from patients with hemorrhagic colitis (HC). This survey provides comprehensive data on the high prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Bangui: carriage of E. coli O157:H7 by zebu (Bos indicus) and fish, contamination of the fields at N'Goila where the butchers kill the zebus, and contamination of the field surface water along the M'Poko River upstream of the Oubangui River where fish are caught, appear to be important contributory factors. We also describe novel strains of serogroup O157:NM isolated from zebu and from fish; a variety of assays indicate that these strains belong to the enteropathogenic pathotype, though they lack certain genetic elements thought to be diagnostic for this pathotype.