Despite the fact that diarrhaegenic Escherichia col (DEC) has boen identified as a major ebiolosic agent of chi dhood. Despite the fact that diarrhaegenic Escherichia coli (DEC) has boen identified as a major etiologic agent of childhood diarhea which represent a major public bealth problem in developing countries, only a few studies have been performed in Bangladesh to identify these organisms. To detect Enterofoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in patients with acute dianhea, a total of 450 stool specimens were tested by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The multiniex Wok was desiened for the detection of taret cones of "eitand "estfot entetcoticene harithiReDit multiplex PCR was designed for the detection of target genes of "elf" and "est" for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Out | of 450 stool specimens collected from patients with acute diarrhea, the ETBC was detecied in 18% (81/450) cases. Both heat-stable foxin (ST) and heat-labile foxin (IT) genes of ETEC were defected in 64.20% (5281) strains and only ST or IT as single gene was detected in 25.905 (2181) or 9.90% (881) strains respectively. The multiplex PCR assay could be used as a rapid as well as efficient diagnostic tool for identification of ETBC in the clinical laboratory settings

Dianhoea, Enterotoxigenie Escherichia coli, Multiplex PCR

Acute infectious diarrhea (AlD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The AlD remains a major public health challenge, especially in developing countries where it as a leading cause of death. Every year nearly 1.4 billion episodes of AID accur in children of less than 5 years of age in developing countries!. In addition diarrheal illness account for an estimated 12600 deaths each day in children of under 5 years of age in Asia, Africa and Latin America-. Kosck and associates (2003) reviewed studios from 1990 to 2000 and concluded that diarrhea accounts for 21% of all deaths under five years of age causing 2.5 million deaths per year in developing countries!. A diversity of recognized microorganisms such as bactena, viruses and parasites may be involved in causing severe AlD in chakdren', Numerous studies performed in different countries have reported diarrheagenic E. col (DEC) as being the most frequent and important among bacterial pathogens associated with AlD in developing countnes. However, the trequencies of these pathogens vary with geographic regson and depend on the sociocconome/samtary conditions" In Bangladesh, the AID romas one of the most important health problems. One third of the total child death burden is due to diarrhea. Every year, a rural child suffers, on an average, from 4.6 episodes of diarrhea, out of which about 230,000 children dies. The diartheagenie E. coli (DEC) has been reported to be responsible for 34% of diarrheal diseases in Bangladeshe,