Lack of association between IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism and chronic periodontal disease in adults.

Because of the complex interaction between periodontal pathogens and the host defense system, periodontitis is considered an inflammatory disorder of bacterial etiology that results in periodontal tissue damage. Genetic mechanisms may interfere with the gene expression of important inflammation mediators, modulating the immunologic response of an individual. In this study, we evaluated the single nucleotide polymorphism -1082G/A in the promoter region of interleukin-10 gene and its relationship with periodontal disease in Central Brazil. We included 36 cases classified according to disease severity (mild, moderate, or severe) and 30 controls. The allelic distribution of the cases was 16 (44%) AG, followed by 13 (36%) GG and 7 (20%) with the genotype AA. In the control group, 13 (43%) presented the genotype AG, 12 (40%) GG and 5 (17%) were classified as AA. The populations examined were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Analysis of allelic and genotypic frequencies revealed no casual relationship with the presence of genotype G or A and the development of periodontal disease in adults. The single nucleotide polymorphism -1082G/A of the interleukin-10 gene was not predictive of periodontal disease.

Overexpression of the activated form of the AtAREB1 gene (AtAREB1ΔQT) improves soybean responses to water deficit.

Abscisic acid-responsive element binding protein (AREB1) is a basic domain/leucine zipper transcription factor that binds to the abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element motif in the promoter region of ABA-inducible genes. Because AREB1 is not sufficient to direct the expression of downstream genes under non-stress conditions, an activated form of AREB1 (AREB1ΔQT) was created. Several reports claim that plants overexpressing AREB1 or AREB1ΔQT show improved drought tolerance. In our studies, soybean plants overexpressing AREB1ΔQT were characterized molecularly, and the phenotype and drought response of three lines were accessed under greenhouse conditions. Under conditions of water deficit, the transformed plants presented a higher survival rate (100%) than those of their isoline, cultivar BR 16 (40%). Moreover, the transformed plants displayed better water use efficiency and had a higher number of leaves than their isoline. Because the transgenic plants had higher stomatal conductance than its isoline under well-watered conditions, it was suggested that the enhanced drought response of AREB1ΔQT soybean plants might not be associated with altered transpiration rates mediated by ABA-dependent stomatal closure. However, it is possible that the smaller leaf area of the transgenic plants reduced their transpiration and water use, causing delayed stress onset. The difference in the degree of wilting and percentage of survival between the 35S-AREB1ΔQT and wildtype plants may also be related to the regulation of genes that protect against dehydration because metabolic impairment of photosynthesis, deduced by an increasing internal CO2 concentration, was not observed in the transgenic plants.

Evolutionary pattern of reemerging influenza B/Victoria lineage viruses in São Paulo, Brazil, 1996-2012: Implications for vaccine composition strategy.

Since the 1980s, 2 antigenically distinct influenza B lineages have cocirculated in the world: B/Victoria/2/87 (first appeared in the 1980s) and B/Yamagata/16/88 (became predominant in the 1990s). B/Victoria/2/87 isolates were geographically restricted to eastern Asia during 1991-2000. During 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, B/Victoria/2/87 isolates reemerged in North America, Europe, and South America, and then spread globally. During influenza virus surveillance, season 2002, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness, which quickly spread among the population, has been notified by public health authorities living in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. Instituto Adolfo Lutz and Secretariat of Health of São Paulo state teams initiate an investigation towards to describe the pattern of infection in this population temporally and by age and to characterize the strains by virus isolation and hemagglutination inhibition assay. The outbreak lasted approximately 10 weeks; many cases occurred between mid-August and mid-September. Children younger than 13 years were the most affected; the elderly were mostly immune to infection. Analysis of the clinical respiratory samples helped in identifying the B/Hong Kong/330/2001 and B/Brisbane/32/2002 subtypes-recent variants of B/Victoria/02/88, a lineage restricted to Southeast Asia until 2001. The Araraquara outbreak confirms the reemergence of the B/Victoria viruses in South America and highlights the importance of monitoring local circulating strains, especially in light of the absence of cross-protection between antigenically distinct influenza lineages. Based on influenza virus surveillance, public health authorities worldwide should decide whether trivalent vaccines or quadrivalent vaccines (containing both influenza virus B lineages) are to be used in each country.

Co-segregation analysis and mapping of the anthracnose Co-10 and angular leaf spot Phg-ON disease-resistance genes in the common bean cultivar Ouro Negro.

Anthracnose (ANT) and angular leaf spot (ALS) are devastating diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Ouro Negro is a highly productive common bean cultivar, which contains the Co-10 and Phg-ON genes for resistance to ANT and ALS, respectively. In this study, we performed a genetic co-segregation analysis of resistance to ANT and ALS using an F2 population from the Rudá × Ouro Negro cross and the F2:3 families from the AND 277 × Ouro Negro cross. Ouro Negro is resistant to races 7 and 73 of the ANT and race 63-39 of the ALS pathogens. Conversely, cultivars AND 277 and Rudá are susceptible to races 7 and 73 of ANT, respectively. Both cultivars are susceptible to race 63-39 of ALS. Co-segregation analysis revealed that Co-10 and Phg-ON were inherited together, conferring resistance to races 7 and 73 of ANT and race 63-39 of ALS. The Co-10 and Phg-ON genes were co-segregated and were tightly linked at a distance of 0.0 cM on chromosome Pv04. The molecular marker g2303 was linked to Co-10 and Phg-ON at a distance of 0.0 cM. Because of their physical linkage in a cis configuration, the Co-10 and Phg-ON resistance alleles are inherited together and can be monitored with great efficiency using g2303. The close linkage between the Co-10 and Phg-ON genes and prior evidence are consistent with the existence of a resistance gene cluster at one end of chromosome Pv04, which also contains the Co-3 locus and ANT resistance quantitative trait loci. These results will be very useful for breeding programs aimed at developing bean cultivars with ANT and ALS resistance using marker-assisted selection.

Nitric oxide regulates adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells.

Anoikis is a type of apoptosis that occurs in response to the loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Anoikis resistance is a critical mechanism in cancer and contributes to tumor metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) is frequently upregulated in the tumor area and is considered an important player in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NO on adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells. Here, we report that anoikis-resistant endothelial cells overexpress endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The inhibition of NO release in anoikis-resistant endothelial cells was able to decrease adhesiveness to fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV. This was accompanied by an increase in cell invasiveness and migration. Furthermore, anoikis-resistant cell lines displayed a decrease in fibronectin and collagen IV protein expression after L-NAME treatment. These alterations in adhesiveness and invasiveness were the consequence of MMP-2 up-regulation observed after NO release inhibition. The decrease in NO levels was able to down-regulate the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) protein expression. ATF3 represses MMP-2 gene expression by antagonizing p53-dependent trans-activation of the MMP-2 promoter. We speculate that the increased release of NO by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells acted as a response to restrict the MMP-2 action, interfering in MMP-2 gene expression via ATF3 regulation. The up-regulation of nitric oxide by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells is an important response to restrict tumorigenic behavior. Without this mechanism, invasiveness and migration potential would be even higher, as shown after L-NAME treatment.

Nitric oxide regulates adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells

Anoikis is a type of apoptosis that occurs in response to the loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Anoikis resistance is a critical mechanism in cancer and contributes to tumor metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) is frequently upregulated in the tumor area and is considered an important player in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NO on adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells. Here, we report that anoikis-resistant endothelial cells overexpress endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The inhibition of NO release in anoikis-resistant endothelial cells was able to decrease adhesiveness to fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV. This was accompanied by an increase in cell invasiveness and migration. Furthermore, anoikis-resistant cell lines displayed a decrease in fibronectin and collagen IV protein expression after L-NAME treatment. These alterations in adhesiveness and invasiveness were the consequence of MMP-2 up-regulation observed after NO release inhibition. The decrease in NO levels was able to down-regulate the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) protein expression. ATF3 represses MMP-2 gene expression by antagonizing p53-dependent trans-activation of the MMP-2 promoter. We speculate that the increased release of NO by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells acted as a response to restrict the MMP-2 action, interfering in MMP-2 gene expression via ATF3 regulation. The up-regulation of nitric oxide by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells is an important response to restrict tumorigenic behavior. Without this mechanism, invasiveness and migration potential would be even higher, as shown after L-NAME treatment.

Serotypes and virulence markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from dairy cattle in São Paulo State, Brazil.

In order to determine the occurrence, serotypes and virulence markers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, 153 fecal samples of cattle randomly selected from six dairy farms in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were examined for Shiga toxin (Stx) production by the Vero cell assay. Feces were directly streaked onto MacConkey Sorbitol Agar and incubated at 37 degrees C overnight. Sorbitol-negative colonies (maximum 20) and up to 10 sorbitol-positive colonies from each plate were subcultured onto presumptive diagnostic medium IAL. Sorbitol-negative isolates were screened with O157 antiserum for identification of O157:H7 E. coli. Isolates presenting cytotoxic activity were submitted to colony hybridization assays with specific DNA probes for stx1, stx2, eae, Ehly and astA genes. The isolation rate of STEC ranged from 3.8 to 84.6% depending on the farm analysed. STEC was identified in 25.5% of the animals, and most of them (64.1%) carried a single STEC serotype. A total of 202 STEC isolates were recovered from the animals, and except for the 2 O157:H7 isolates all the others expressed cytotoxic activity. The great majority of the STEC isolates carried both stx1 and stx2 genes (114/202, 56.4%) or stx2 (82/202, 40.6%); and whereas the Ehly sequence occurred in most of them (88%) eae was only observed in O157:H7 and O111:HNM isolates. Serotypes O113:H21, O178:H19 and O79:H14 were the most frequent STEC serotypes identified and widely distributed among animals from different farms, while others such as O77:H18, O88:H25 and O98:H17 occurred only in particular farms. This is the first report on the occurrence of STEC in dairy cattle in Sao Paulo State, and the results point to substantial differences in rate of isolation, serotypes and genetic profile of STEC that has been previously described among beef cattle in our community. Moreover, to our knowledge O79:H14 and O98:H17 represent new STEC serotypes, while O178:H19 has only been recently reported in Spain.

Prevalence of Candida albicans in vaginal fluid of asymptomatic Portuguese women.

Candida albicans is by far the most frequent agent of genital candidosis. We studied the prevalence of C albicans in normal asymptomatic women attending primary health care centers throughout Portugal. The overall prevalence of C albicans in the vaginal fluid of 1,004 women studied was 10.4%. Interestingly, the prevalence rates were lower (6.8%) in women taking combination oral contraceptives and higher (13.0%) in those using intrauterine devices.

PIP: In Portugal, a physician from a rural primary health care center and one from an urban primary health care center from each of 18 districts took vaginal swabs from 1004 14-to-80-year-old asymptomatic women to send to a laboratory at the University of Porto School of Medicine, where staff examined 1 week old cultures for yeast cells. This vaginal fluid collection was part of a research project of the Portuguese Group for the Study of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Sexually Transmitted Diseases based at the University's Departments of Microbiology, Biostatistics, and Hygiene and Social Medicine. They confirmed 104 positive Candida albicans cultures (10.4%). C. albicans prevalence was considerably higher in women using an IUD than it was in women using an oral contraceptive (13% vs. 6.8%; p = .03). Prevalence was also greater among women whose vaginal fluid had a macroscopic appearance suspicious of candidosis than among those whose vaginal fluid did not have such an appearance (p .05). Pregnant women had the highest colonization rates. The various means for daily genital care (i.e., soap vs. antiseptics) did not influence C. albicans prevalence. These results were probably representative of the female population in Portugal.

Comparative study of epithelial and fibroblastic cell lines as an alternative cytotoxicity test to the Draize method.

Several methods are being used with considerable advantage as alternatives to the Draize test, although some technical difficulties still persist. This work compared the sensitivity of HeLa and NCTC L 929 cells to evaluate the cytotoxicity of shampoos used by adults and children (undiluted and diluted to 25, 5, 1, and 0.1%), and eye drops and their containers and surfactants (diluted to 30, 10, 1, and 0.1%). Nondiluted adult shampoos and their 25 and 5% dilutions were cytotoxic for both cell lines. When diluted to 1%, only one of the shampoos was noncytotoxic, whereas among those diluted to 0.1%, only one was cytotoxic. Children's shampoos were cytotoxic when not diluted or diluted to 25%. From those diluted to 5%, only one was noncytotoxic for both cell lines. The cytotoxic tests showed that the eye drops and their containers were noncytotoxic. Surfactants were cytotoxic when diluted to 30 and 10% and noncytotoxic when diluted to 1 and 0.1%. An excellent correlation (r = 0.95) was demonstrated between the sensitivity of the HeLa and NCTC L929 cells in the evaluation of cytotoxicity reactions.

[Detection of cytotoxicity of biocompatible materials in MRC-5, HeLa, and RC-IAL cell lines]. / Detecção da citotoxicidade de materiais biocompatíveis nas linhagens celulares MRC-5, HeLa e RC-IAL.

The sensitivity of diploid and heteroploid cell lines for detection of cytotoxicity using the agar diffusion method on cell culture, was tested with ascorbic acid solution of different concentrations. A total of 562 samples of 21 various materials were tested. The heteroploid cell line, RC-IAL, showed in relation to the MRC-5 and HeLa cell lines, greater sensitivity because it showed the presence of cytotoxic effect with the lowest concentration used (10 and 25 micrograms/ml) of ascorbic acid and showed greater diameter of cytotoxic halo in 15 samples and equal diameter in 16 of the 43 positive samples (7.6%). Out of 43 positive samples, the MRC-5 line did not show cytotoxicity in 3 sponge samples and 1 of acrylic resin. The PVC (polyvinylchloride) and polyethylene rarely showed positivity, while, the plastic, cotton and acrylic resin demonstrated cytotoxicity in about 5% of samples. We thus suggest the use of the RC-IAL and HeLa cell lines for continuation of this type of analysis at Adolfo Lutz Institute.

Outbreak of influenza type A (H1N1) in Iporanga, São Paulo State, Brazil.

From June to July 1999 an outbreak of acute respiratory illness occurred in the town of Iporanga. Out of a total of 4,837 inhabitants, 324 cases were notified to the Regional Surveillance Service. Influenza virus was isolated from 57.1% of the collected samples and 100% seroconversion to influenza A (H1N1) was obtained in 20 paired sera tested. The isolates were related to the A/Bayern/07/95 strain (H1N1). The percentages of cases notified during the outbreak were 28.4%, 29.0%, 20.7%, 6.2% and 15.7% in the age groups of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 and older than 20 years, respectively. The highest proportion of positives was observed among children younger than 14 years and no cases were notified in people older than 65 years, none of whom had been recently vaccinated against influenza. These findings suggest a significant vaccine protection against A/Bayern/7/95, the H1 component included in the 1997-98 influenza vaccine for elderly people. This viral strain is antigenically and genetically related to A/Beijing/262/95, the H1 component of the 1999 vaccine. Vaccines containing A/Beijing/262/95 (H1N1) stimulated post-immunization hemagglutination inhibition antibodies equivalent in frequency and titre to both A/Beijing/262/95-like and A/Bayern/7/95-like viruses. Thus, this investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of vaccination against influenza virus in the elderly.

[RC-IAL: rabbit kidney continuous cell line--characteristics and substrate for viral replication]. / RC-IAL: linhagem celular contínua de rim de coelho--características esubstrato para replicação de vírus.

A rabbit kidney cell line RC-IAL, isolated in 1976 and at present at 150a passage, has had its characteristics analysed. The cells presented morphology similar to fibroblasts throughout their culture. The cellular growth proportion remained unaltered from its isolation, with a cloning efficiency of around 9%. The line showed growth dependent on anchorage and chromosomic analysis presented the modal number of the species with small variations to about one chromosome, to a total of about 50%. The line's species of origin was confirmed through indirect immunofluorescence reaction and susceptibility to some viruses with cytopathic effect was verified with vaccinia, cowpox, herpes simplex types 1 and 2 and rubella viruses. This cellular substract is free from contaminating agents, thus satisfying the conditions for its use in scientific work, especially that relating to public health.

RC-IAL cell line: sensitivity of rubella virus grow.

OBJECTIVE: The rapid growth of the rubella virus in RC-IAL2 with development of cytopathic effect, in response to rubella virus infection, is described. For purposes of comparison, the rubella virus RA-27/3 strain was titered simultaneously in the RC-IAL, Vero, SIRC and RK13 cell lines. METHODS: Rubella virus RA-27/3 strain are inoculated in the RC-IAL cell line (rabbit Kidney, Institute Adolfo Lutz). Plates containing 1.5x10(5) cells/ml of RC-IAL line were inoculated with 0.1ml s RA-27/3 strain virus containing 1x 10(4)TCID50/0.1ml. A 25% cytopathic effect was observed after 48 hours and 100% after 96 hours. The results obtained were compared to those observed with the SIRC, Vero and RK13 cell lines. Rubella virus was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: With the results, it was possible to conclude that the RC-IAL cell line is a very good substrate for culturing rubella virus. The cells inoculated with rubella virus were examined by phase contrast microscopy and showed the characteristic rounded, bipolar and multipolar cells. The CPE in RC-IAL was observed in the first 48 hours and the curve of the increased infectivity was practically the same as observed in other cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important since this is one the few cell lines described in the literature with a cytopathic effect. So it can be used for antigen preparation and serological testing for the diagnosis of specific rubella antibodies.

[Comparison of methods to test the "in vitro" cytotoxicity of biocompatible materials]. / Comparação de métodos para testar a citotoxicidade "in vitro" de materiais biocompatíveis.

OBJECTIVE: A comparison of the sensitivity of the agar diffusion method with that of extraction using cell-lines RC-IAL (fibroblastic of rabbit kidney) and HeLa (epithelial carcinoma cells from the cervix uteri of the human uterus), in the in vitro evaluation of materials of medical and hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen samples chosen at random, from among the already known positives and negatives in our stock, were tested and identified as cotton, form, latex, cellulose and acrylic. Besides the samples mentioned, many SDS (GIbco) concentrations were tested experimentally in RC-IAL and HeLa cell cultures. RESULTS: Of the 50 samples tested, 44(88%) were positive by both methods. However, when the SDS were compared by using the two methods, positive results were noted in the concentrations of from 0.5 to 0.05 microgram/ml in the agar diffusion ans extraction methods. A cytotoxic effect was only noted in the concentrations of up to 0.25 microgram/ml. CONCLUSION: When the SDS was used, differences favorable to the agar diffusion method were observed in the two cell lines, in two concentrations; that is, the sensitivity of this method was quantitatively greater on inspection than that of the extraction method, as well as being the simpler method to use.

[Simple and rapid technique of intubation for collection of jejunal secretions]. / Técnica simples e rápida de intubação para obtenção de secreção jejunal.

This study was proposed to introduce a new and fast technique of aspiration to obtain samples of the small bowel juice. The utilization of a guide wire placed within the main probe lumen provides more rigidity to the system. We compared the traditional technique and the new one in 40 infants. The time elapsed for intubation was shorter with the guide wire (mean 15.4 minutes) than with the traditional technique (91.0 minutes (p < 0.05). In order to make the method more feasible the positioning of the tube was assessed by the change in the colour of the intestinal fluid and by the pH measurement of the intestinal aspirate.

[Proliferation of anaerobic flora in the small intestine of infants with acute and protracted diarrhea]. / Proliferação da flora anaeróbia no intestino delgado em lactentes portadores de diarréia aguda e persistente.

Bacterial proliferation in the small intestine can induce the protraction of diarrhea due to malabsorption of the nutrients. We performed the culture of the small intestine juice for the aerobic and anaerobic flora in 40 infants with persistent and acute diarrhea. Bacterial proliferation was observed in 32 (80%) patients, being 30 (75%) due to the aerobic microflora and 17 (43%) due to the anaerobic microflora. There was no statistical difference in the bacterial growth between acute and persistent diarrhea. The aerobic bacteria most frequently isolated was E. coli in 23 patients, and Bacteroides sp was the most prevalent anaerobic bacteria, isolated in 9 cases. The transitory flora was significantly more abundant in patients with persistent diarrhea.

[Menetrier's disease in children: report of 3 cases and review of the literature]. / Doença de Ménétrier na criança: relato de três casos e revisão da literatura.

Three cases of Ménétrier's disease in childhood are reported and 38 other cases previously described in the literature are reviewed. The disease manifests in children as a protein-losing gastropathy and a characteristic hypertrophic gastric rugae is demonstrated by upper gastrointestinal radiographs or endoscopy. In contrast to the usual chronicity of the disease in adults, the course is usually benign in children and the symptoms resolve spontaneously in weeks or months. The possible etiology and differential diagnosis are discussed. Ménétrier's disease in children may be more common than report.

[The international normalization ratio in the monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy]. / El cociente de normalización internacional en la vigilancia de la terapia anticoagulante oral.

Oral anticoagulants are employed very frequently in the prophylaxis and treatment of several diseases. For their optimal effectiveness, many vigilance schedules have been proposed but none has proved to be 100% effective. The international normalization ratio (INR) can be a safer way to monitor oral anticoagulation, and our objective was to determine its clinical usefulness. A prothrombin time test (PT) was carried out by means of either a chromogenic or a coagulometric method, and an INR was obtained using the ratio of the PT patient/PT control elevated to an exponential given by the international sensitivity index (ISI) of our thromboplastin. Our objective was to maintain our patients in a therapeutical INR range between two and three. We present our experience with 77 patients and 810 results during an 18 months period. We observed 26 cases of hemorrhage and three of thrombosis. In all these cases, the INR was out of the desired therapeutical range. No deaths occurred in our patients. Our analysis showed a significative disagreement between the INR and the prothrombin time ratio (PTR) but a better correlation with hemorrhage and thrombosis was seen with the INR than with the PTR. Our experience supports the use of INR in the clinical vigilance of oral anticoagulation as a useful method.

[Influence of classic enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on small bowel bacterial proliferation in infant's acute and persistent diarrhea]. / Influência da Escherichia coli enteropatogênica clássica sobre a proliferação bacteriana no intestino delgado na diarréia aguda e persistente do lactente.

UNLABELLED: Bacterial proliferation of the colonic microflora can occur in up to 50% of the infants with acute and persistent diarrhea. EPEC strains are frequently associated with bacterial proliferation in the small bowel lumen. The persistence of diarrhea might be due to the proliferation of EPEC in the intestinal lumen. PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at comparing the magnitude of the bacterial proliferation in the small bowel lumen in infants with acute and persistent diarrhea due to EPEC and other agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourty infants with diarrhea (23 with acute diarrhea and 17 with persistent diarrhea) underwent a naso-jejunal intubation for intestinal secretion culture of aerobes and anaerobes microorganisms. Stool samples were also collected for the investigation of enteropathogenic agents. RESULTS: Bacterial proliferation in the small bowel was detected in 32 (80%) infants; in 30 (75%) infants there was proliferation of aerobic microorganisms while in 17 (43%) infants there was proliferation of microorganisms belonging to the anaerobic microflora. There was no statistical difference in the bacterial proliferation between patients with acute and persistent diarrhea. In 16 patients EPEC strains were identified in the stool culture, and all of them showed bacterial overgrowth above 10(3) microorganisms/mL. In contrast in the 24 patients without EPEC in the stools only 16 (67%) showed bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel lumen (p < 0.01). The mean concentration of E. coli in the intestinal secretion was 8 x 10(5) microorganisms/mL among the patients with EPEC in the stools and 3 x 10(2) microorganisms/mL among the patients with no EPEC in the stools (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EPEC infection either acute or persistent induce favorable conditions for bacterial proliferation in the small bowel secretion in infants with diarrhea.