Microbial landscape of the intestine in outpatients with acute enteric infections

Aim. Study of the state of intestinal microflora in young children seen in an outpatient setting with acute enteric infections.

Methods. The state of microflora of 156 children was examined. All children underwent bacteriological study. Children were divided into following groups by age: 0-6 months - 59 (37.8%) patients; 6-12 months - 32 (20.5%) and 1-3 years - 65 (41.7%) subjects. Among them, 33 (21.1%) received breast milk, 46 (29.5%) received artificial feeding and 77 (49.4%) - mixed feeding.

Results. Conditionally pathogenic bacteria were revealed in 114 (73.08%) patients, mainly (92.98% of cases) Candida alone or in combination with other conditionally pathogenic microorganisms were detected in 57 (50.0%) children: Candida + St. aureus - in 32 (28.1%) patients, Candida + P. vulgaris - in 9 (7.9%), Candida + P. vulgaris + St. aureus - in 12 (10.5%), Candida + St. aureus + Ps. aeroginosa - in 4 (3.5%) subjects. In 42 (26.92%) children conditionally pathogenic flora was not detected. As a result of the study of intestinal microflora structure of outpatients, decreased number of E. coli and B. bifidum by 67.3 and 36.5%, respectively, was revealed. The leading place was taken by Candida albicans identified in more than 50% of outpatients.

Conclusion. Young children with acute enteric infections had mainly conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms isolated in different associations.