Determining the pathogens of diarrheal infections in infants in Iraq Dhi-Qar province

The purpose of the current study was to identify the various microbial species (fungi, bacteria, and protozoa) that cause diarrhea in newborns in the governorate of Dhi Qar. 110 obtained fecal samples from infants exhibiting symptoms of diarrhea at the Children's Hospital between July and October 2023. The collected information included the infants' names, genders, review dates, and whether they had taken antibiotics or not. The present study had a total of 110 samples, with 62 (56.4%) being male newborns and 48 (43.6%) being female infants. The findings indicated that the bacterial isolates accounted for 47 (56.6%) of the total isolates, while the yeast isolates comprised 15 (18.1%), and the parasitic isolates comprised 21 (25.3%). The latest findings also revealed that the prevalence of Escherichia coli infection was 84.2%. Three distinct isolates of different sorts were obtained from the feces of infants suffering from diarrhea. The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is detected at a rate of 5.3%. Six distinct isolates of different kinds were obtained from the feces of infants suffering from diarrhea. Staphylococcus aureus has a prevalence of 10.5%. Conversely, the findings indicated the presence of E. histolytica (25.3%), one of several microbial species that cause diarrhea in newborns. The prevalence of E. histolytica infection among males (14/21, 66.7%) was greater than that among females, indicating that being male is associated with a considerably higher risk of contracting E. histolytica. Candida spp. was identified in yeast samples through the examination of cultural and microscopic features, as well as biochemical assays. Candida was also identified using CHROM-agar Candida medium. The results indicate that C. albicans had the highest prevalence rate of Candida spp. at 60.0%, followed by C. glabrata at 26.7%, and the lowest rate was seen for C. krusei at 13.3%. The diagnosis of Candida yeasts was confirmed using PCR technology for six Candida isolates. This was necessary because the usual diagnostic methods, which rely on determining phenotypic criteria, were not adequate for identifying yeasts, including those belonging to the Candida spp. genus. According to the current study, various microbial illnesses like bacteria, parasites, and fungi are responsible for the majority of diarrhea cases. Notably, Escherichia coli was found to be the most prevalent bacterium responsible for diarrhea in newborns. Keywords: Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Entamoeba histolytica, Staphylococcus aureus