A type of bacteria not routinely tested for has been discovered as the second most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, in a study of over 300,000 patient samples.听听
A group of scientists at听鲍狈厂奥听厂测诲苍别测听have discovered that a type of bacteria known as听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听are the second most prevalent bacterial pathogen found in patients with gastroenteritis.听
Gastroenteritis 鈥 commonly known as gastro 鈥 is a contagious short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.听听
In a recent study led by听, from the听School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, surprising results have provided new information on the types of enteric bacteria 鈥 bacteria in the intestine 鈥 that can cause the stomach bug.听
Until now, it has been believed that after听Campylobacter, the most common cause of bacterial gastro is听厂补濒尘辞苍别濒濒补听infection.听 听
鈥淥ur results have found that听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听are the second most prevalent enteric bacterial pathogens across all age groups, and are in fact the most common enteric bacterial pathogens in children under 18 months,鈥 says A/Prof. Zhang.听听
The latest findings, published today in听, could have an impact on the diagnostic process for gastroenteritis and ultimately lead to more targeted treatment.听听
鈥淲ith further research, once we鈥檙e able to figure out the source of infection, we may eventually be equipped with the knowledge of how best to prevent听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听infection.鈥澨
A distinct infection pattern听
鈥淗istorically,听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听species have been largely overlooked and understudied, but they are increasingly recognised as emerging enteric pathogens globally,鈥 says A/Prof. Zhang.听
The team, which included PhD student Christopher Yuwono, analysed data from 341,330 patients with gastroenteritis in Australia between 2015 and 2019.听听
Using a method known as quantitative real-time PCR, faecal samples from these patients were tested to detect the presence of bacterial pathogens.听
To get further insights into the factors influencing gastroenteritis infection, patient samples were grouped based on age groups.听
On their analysis, the research team identified a unique infection pattern, characterised by three distinct infection peaks associated with patient age.听听
鈥淭he occurrence of听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听enteric infections was predominately observed in young children and individuals over 50 years old, suggesting a higher听susceptibility to these infections during stages where the immune system tends to be weaker,鈥 says A/Prof. Zhang.听听
Additionally, there was an increase in听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听enteric infections among patients aged 20-29 years, which could possibly be attributed to increased exposure to the pathogen at this age.听
鈥淭hese findings suggest that both human host and microbial factors contribute to the development of听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听enteric infections.鈥澨
A change to diagnostic processes听
Currently, when stool samples from gastro patients are sent to diagnostic laboratories听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听enteric pathogens are not routinely detected.听听
鈥淏ut the high rate of听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听infection discovered in our study, and significantly, how they are impacting different patient age groups, suggest that听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听species should be included on the common enteric bacterial pathogen examination list,鈥 says A/Prof. Zhang.
The next step for A/Prof. Zhang and her team is to identify听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听pathogens at a more detailed level. 鈥淲e already know of at least five different species of Aeromonas cause gastrointestinal infections in Australia,鈥 says A/Prof Zhang.听鈥淎nd we know that they have different virulent genes 鈥 with that some are more virulent than others. So if听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听bacteria are identified to species level, it could lead to even more targeted treatment.鈥澨
The second challenge that faces A/Prof. Zhang is to identify the source of the pathogen.听听from the Zhang team demonstrated that the majority of听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听enteric infections in Australia were locally acquired, with no history of overseas travel.听听
鈥淔uture research is needed to identify the sources of听础别谤辞尘辞苍补蝉听infections in Australia, so that听effective strategies can then be implemented to reduce these infections.鈥
