| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia
coli (ETEC) is known for its
public health importance globally,
however, a protective vaccine is yet
to be developed. Information regarding
the immunology of ETEC’s virulence
proteins that can lead to studies
on vaccine development such as the
heat stable toxins (ST), heat-labile
toxin (LT), colonization factors (CFs)
and coli surface antigens (CS) from
many regions of the world is available.
In Kenya, specific CFAs and CS
have not been adequately characterized.
This study looked at the surface
antigens of diarrhoeagenic E. coli
in search of indicators for vaccine
materials development.
Methodology: Multiplex polymerase
chain reaction assay were employed
to detect diarrhoeagenic E. coli
pathotypes and enteroxigenic
Escherichia coli surface antigens/
colonization factors antigens from
300 patients in Machakos Hospital,
Kenya.
Results: Enteroaggrigative Escherichia
coli was the most predominant
(13.7%) followed by ETEC
(11%), Enteroinvesive E. coli (8.3%)
and Enteropathogenic E. coli (4.3%).
Among the colonization factor antigens,
CFAI was detected at 25 (23%),
CS1, CSII 2(1.9%), CS3 1(0.9%),
CS6 13(12%), CS7 2 (1.9%), CS12
1(0.9%), CS19 11 (10.25%) and
those without colonization factor 37
(34.3%).
Conclusions: ETEC isolates
carrying ST or STLT toxins had
more recoverable CFs than those
with LT alone (P<0.05). The CS6 is
increasing and CS19 was detected
for the first time in Kenya and shown
to be persistent adhesins. These may
be further investigated as possible
candidates for the formulation of a
novel vaccine for the prevention of
diarrhoea in Kenya and the region | en_US |
