Impact of infection by some bacterial zoonotic pathogens on appendix in man . (with 4 tables and 3 figures) [electronic resource]

Includes references.

Some zoonotic enteropathogenic microorganisms including Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are implicated as major bacterial causes of appendicitis. Appendiceal specimens were taken from 80 patients underwent appendectomy for presumed appendicitis at Assiut University Hospital between september 2003 to july 2004. All appendiceal specimens were screened with bacteriological and histopathological examination. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7; Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a possible causes of appendicitis and to study their pathologic behavior. It has been estimated that 43 cases out of 80 (53.75%) showed acute inflammation including both catarrhal (12.5%) and suppurative (41.25%) inflammation. In addition, 33.75% of the examined appendices showed chronic inflammation where, 31.25% of the samples showed chronic inflammation only while, 2.5% of them had chronic inflammation mixed with suppuration. On the other hand, 12.5% of the examined appendices were normal. E.coli 0157:H7 was recovered from 11.25% of the examined appendices, while Y.enterocolitica and Y.pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 10% and 6.25% of the examined appendices, respectively. Concerning the correlation between the isolated microorganisms and the different types of inflammation, E.coli 0157:H7 has been isolated from 24.24% of the examined appendices with suppurative inflammation, while it was isolated from one patient with chronic inflammation with a rate of 4%. Moreover, Y.enterocolitica and Y.pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 18.18% and 15.15% of appendices with suppurative inflammation, respectively. It has been estimated that 6.25% of the examined cases of appendicitis were due to bilharzial infection, 3 (10%) of them were represented by chronic inflammation only while the remaining two cases were represented by chronic inflammation with suppuration. Interestingly, Y. enterocolitica was found in association with the two cases of specific inflammation (parasitic) both showed superadded suppuration. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern were studied and the results revealed that some of the recovered strains were resistant to several antibiotics. Suggestive measures to control transmission of foodborne pathogens were discussed.

Summary in Arabic.