Molecular-based evidence for school transmission of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli among apparently healthy children attending nursery, infant, and primary schools in Madrid (Spain).

ABSTRACT: Information on the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and public health impact of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) infection in schoolchildren from high-income countries is scarce. This study investigated the occurrence of EAEC infections in apparently healthy children (0-12 years) attending nursery, infant, and primary schools in Spain. High-resolution whole-genome sequencing typing was used to detect and trace back unnoticed episodes of transmission within school settings. An overall EAEC prevalence of 5.1% was observed, with children in the 0-3 age group showing the highest prevalence (24.2%). Besides their gastrointestinal potential, 17% of EAEC isolates revealed an additional urinary/systemic pathogenic potential. Presumptive outbreaks of EAEC infection were identified in t

SUBMITTER: Llorente MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12496287 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature