Escherichiosis
Escherichiosis is an acute intestinal infection that is caused by pathogenic E. coli. The disease is manifested by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, general intoxication, fever, and dehydration.
Causes of Escherichiosis
The causative agent of Escherichiosis are pathogenic variants of the representative of the normal intestinal microflora Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli). Bacteria do not die in the external environment; they remain viable in water, in soil and on household items for about three months. The causative agents of Escherichiosis tolerate drying well, but die when boiled or when they are exposed to disinfectants.
E. coli is not only able to persist in food, while it multiplies quite quickly in them.
Escherichiosis also affects adults, but more often it manifests itself in children. The carrier of the infection is a sick person. Escherichiosis is characterized by a fecal-oral transmission mechanism. The pathogen is excreted along with feces from sick people, then it gets into food, soil, water, on household items and then on the hands of a person, which becomes the cause of infection.
The causative agents of infection are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract and reach the small intestine, where they become attached to the mucous membrane and begin to multiply, which leads to the destruction of mucosal cells. A special toxin of the causative agent of Escherichiosis causes the destruction of the walls of the blood vessels of the intestine, which can lead to the development of necrosis (necrosis of tissues, cells).
Escherichiosis in children
In young children, enteropathogenic escherichiosis (EPE) is diagnosed, which often occurs in babies from three to twelve months. These are weakened children with various concomitant diseases, babies who are artificially fed.
Escherichiosis can also occur in newborns, especially premature babies or children in risk groups.
The disease is characterized by both isolated cases and epidemic outbreaks.
Enteroinvasive Escherichiosis (EIE) occurs in children of all ages, but more often children from two to six years old suffer from it. Among the varieties of this disease, the EIE clinic has been studied in most detail.
Children are infected by food contact from the mother or from medical personnel. A sick child can also be a carrier of escherichiosis, communication is especially dangerous in the acute form of the disease. At risk are babies who are artificially fed. In such cases, E. coli enters the body through the milk mixture, as well as through insufficiently washed and specially treated dishes. Also, the endogenous pathway of the appearance of escherichiosis in children cannot be ruled out. This is facilitated by the penetration of EPCP (enteropathogenic strains of E. coli) into the upper intestine. The disease spreads among children who suffer from dysbiosis, children with weakened immunity.
Another cause of the disease is associated with climatic conditions. In hot countries, the risk of escherichiosis increases not only in children, but also in adults.
One of the important factors of escherichiosis is the living conditions of people, this should include the improvement of housing, the receipt by all family members of high-quality food, clean water and their compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Escherichiosis symptoms
The disease begins in an acute form. Typically, the incubation period lasts no more than 8 days. In weakened and newborn babies, with massive infection, it can be reduced to 1 - 2 days.
There are three forms of the course of Escherichiosis:
- Lightweight form. Intoxication symptoms are not clearly expressed. The patient develops weakness, loss of appetite, mild, aching abdominal pain, body temperature may not change. The chair is not more than 5 times a day of liquid consistency.
- Moderate form. Symptoms are more pronounced. The body temperature rises to 39 degrees. The patient shivers, weakness, headaches, abdominal pains appear. With this form of escherichiosis, vomiting may appear. The stool is copious and watery, mixed with mucus and greenery. Chair up to 10 times a day.
- With a severe form of Escherichiosis, the body temperature can rise above 39 degrees, the patient's stool is more frequent, sometimes more than 10 times a day. The symptoms of dehydration gradually increase due to the loss of water during severe vomiting and diarrhea. This form of the disease is extremely rare.
Diagnosis of Escherichiosis
When diagnosing escherichiosis, first of all, the sowing of pathogens is carried out, which is taken from vomit or feces. In the generalized form of the disease, sowing is done from bile, blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid.
Today, in the laboratory diagnosis of Escherichiosis, a method is also practiced to determine the presence of toxins in the feces of a patient.
In a severe form of the disease, a blood test of the patient will show the presence of hemolytic anemia, as well as an increased level of urea and creatinine.
Escherichiosis treatment
For the treatment of escherichiosis, drugs are used in accordance with the severity of the disease, also taking into account the period of the disease and the age of the patient.
It is necessary to use antibacterial agents, the patient is prescribed polymyxin M, nifuroxazide, nalidixic acid for 5 days, the treatment of escherichiosis in severe form requires the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
After the abolition of antibacterial drugs, probiotics (lactic acid and bifidobacteria) are prescribed; to improve digestion processes, enzyme preparations are taken (Creon, Mezim Forte, Pancreatin, Abomin, Festal).
With the development of dehydration, the patient needs emergency therapy aimed at replenishing the amount of lost fluid.
Treatment of escherichiosis in newborns and sick children under the age of one year, children under two years of age with moderate severe and severe forms of the disease is carried out without fail in infectious diseases hospitals.
An important condition for the treatment of escherichiosis is a gentle diet, which is aimed at limiting the amount of fat consumed, reducing the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, while maintaining the norm of consumed protein. The amount of salt consumed is reduced, products that irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract (mustard, horseradish, carbonated drinks) are prohibited. The patient should not eat fatty meats, fish, sausages. Canned food, all kinds of smoked products, pickles, mushrooms are excluded. Chocolate and other confectionery products are strictly prohibited.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
