Potential sources of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in homes of children with diarrhoea in Thailand

A year-long study was performed to identify potential sources of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) within the homes of children with diarrhoea in Bangkok. ETEC was identified in 8% (10/130) of the inhabitants of 42 homes of children with ETEC diarrhoea and 6% (8/137) of their neighbours, but in only 2% (49/3077) of individuals living in 866 homes not associated with the children with ETEC diarrhoea. While 46% (13/28) of the children under two years of age infected with ETEC were identified on home visits as having had a recent history of diarrhoea, only 13% (5/39) of persons over two years of age presented such a history. ETEC was isolated from 14% of mothers' hands, 13% of children's hands, and 7% of jars containing bathing water that was used for washing the children after defecation. Drinking-water was identified as a probable source of infection in one out of 42 cases. Further studies are needed to determine whether ETEC from water stored in the home can spread and cause secondary infections.