Bacterial gastroenteritis phenotypic and genotypic characterization of enteric pathogens isolated from stool samples. Paraguay. 2024-2025
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Abstract
Introduction: acute infectious gastroenteritis remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
Objectives: to phenotypically and genotypically characterize enteric pathogens isolated from stool samples and to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility.
Methodology: a retrospective, observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on stool samples submitted between 2024 and 2025. Identification and characterization studies (using conventional and molecular methods) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed.
Results: of the samples analyzed, 28.7% tested positive for a bacterial enteric pathogen. The distribution was as follows: diarrheagenic E. coli (54.2%), Campylobacter spp. (22.8%), Salmonella spp. (17.8%), Shigella spp. (5%), and coinfections (3.6%). Enteroaggregative E. coli was the most frequent pathotype identified; Campylobacter jejuni isolates frequently exhibited virulence factors (93%) and ciprofloxacin resistance (56%). Twenty Salmonella serovars were identified, with 19% showing intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Among Shigella spp., 72% were S. sonnei, exhibiting antimicrobial resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid, and ampicillin.
Conclusion: bacterial enteric pathogens remain a significant cause of infectious gastroenteritis in the study population, with a predominance of diarrheagenic E. coli and Campylobacter spp. The diversity of species, serovars, virulence factors, and susceptibility profiles identified highlights the need to strengthen epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, expand access to specialized diagnostic methods, and implement prevention and control measures tailored to the national context.
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