The Effect of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on hepatic enzymes in rat.

Background and Objectives: E.coli is a gram negative bacterium responsible for the virulence and frequency of infections leading to hospitalization. Most of bacterial infections in the world are rising because of these bacteria, including sepsis, neonatal meningitis, pneumonia, bacteremia and Traveler’s diarrhea. Enteropathogenic E.Coli is transferred to liver through portal shunt and situates in the bile sac and in the case of septisemi especially in humans and young animals finds their way to different organs including liver and cause lesions. This bacterium affects the liver by creating septicemia which affects hepatic enzymes as the first sign in hepatic diseases. Materials and Methods :This study was performed on 50 male wistar rats that were divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each. 1 × 109 of E.Coli was injected intraperitoneally. The rats were anesthetized on days 5,7 and 14 after injections and blood sample was taken and sent to laboratory for serology tests. Results: ALT and ALP enzyme levels increased in the group receiving Escherichia coli and compared to sham and control groups significant difference was detected(P<0/05), however, there was no significant difference in AST levels(P> 0/05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli can affect the liver negatively and lead to hepatic and other systemic diseases.