Epidemiological investigations of diarrhea in children in Praia city, Cape Verde

Denise Andrade Colito; Roberto Dorta-Guerra; Hailton Spencer Da Costa Lima; Carine Pina; Deisy Gonçalves; Basilio Valladares; Pilar Foronda

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.1059431

Epidemiological investigations of diarrhea in children in Praia city, Cape Verde

Front Microbiol. 2022 Dec 22:13:1059431. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1059431. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Denise Andrade Colito¹, Roberto Dorta-Guerra^{2

3}, Hailton Spencer Da Costa Lima¹, Carine Pina¹, Deisy Gonçalves¹, Basilio Valladares^{3

4}, Pilar Foronda^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Cape Verde, Palmarejo, Cape Verde.
² Departamento de Matemáticas, Estadística e IO, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
³ Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
⁴ Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrheal disease is a major cause of infant mortality and morbidity in Africa and results primarily from contaminated food and water sources, but its prevalence predictors in Cape Verde are not completely known. For this reason, this study aimed to identify the etiological agents of diarrhea in Cape Verdean children and assess its associated risk factors.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was used, and a total of 105 stool samples from children with diarrhea aged 0-12 years at the Central Hospital of Praia (Santiago, Cape Verde) were analyzed. The analyses were carried out using Biofire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panels. Possible risk factors for these pathogens were analyzed using logistic regression, chi-square tests, or Fisher's exact test.

Results: Among the bacteria, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (45.71%; 95% CI: 36.71-56.70), enteropathogenic E. coli (40%; 95% CI: 30.56-50.02), Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli (29.52%; 95% CI: 21.02-39.22), E. coli enterotoxigenic (12.38%; 95% CI: 6.76-20.24), Campylobacter sp. (10.48%; 95% CI: 5.35-1.97), Vibrio sp. (4.76%; 95% CI: 1.56-10.76), Clostridioides difficile (3.81%; 95% CI: 1.05-9.47), Vibrio cholerae (2.86%; 0.59-8.12), Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (2.86%; 0.59-8.12) and Salmonella sp. (0.95%; 0.02-5.19) were identified; four viruses, Rotavirus A (28.57%; 95% CI: 20.18-38.21), Sapovirus I. II. IV and V (11.43%; 95% CI: 6.05-19.11), Norovirus GI.GII (6.67%; 95% CI: 2.72-13.25) and Adenovirus F 40.41 (6.67%; 95% CI: 2.72-13.25) were also observed. All the pathogens detected in this study were found in coinfections. Significant associations with risk factors were found; specifically, having a bathroom at home reduced the risk of Campylobacter sp., having animals at home increased the risk of Shigella/EIEC infection, and drinking bottled water reduced the risk of Sapovirus infection.

Discussion: From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that, in Cape Verde, there is a high prevalence and diversity of pathogens among children. Our results could help to establish an adequate diagnosis and effective treatments for diarrheal disease.

Keywords: Cape Verde; bacteria; children; diarrhea; risk factors; virus.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by “Exmo. Cabildo Insular de Tenerife” (“Proyectos de Cooperación e Investigación 2019”); CEI program of the University of Laguna and the Canary Council of Economy, Knowledge, and Employment; Cooperation Projects 2021–2022 “Vicerrectorado de Proyección, Internacionalización y Cooperación” University of La Laguna; FUNCCET (Fundación Canaria para el Control de las Enfermedades Tropicales); Canary Government and FEDER Canarias 2014–2020 (ProID2021010013); and the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs, and Social Welfare (RICET RD16/0027/0001).