Abstract: International audience ; Escherichia coli pathotypes are enteric pathogens detected in gastrointestinal multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR), with controversial clinical relevance. Our study aimed to describe clinical features and therapeutic decisions associated with E. coli detections in gastrointestinal mPCR. Children with positive mPCR for enteroaggregative (EAEC) , enteropathogenic (EPEC) , enterotoxigenic (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)/ Shigella identified in two pediatric hospitals over 18 months (2020–2021) were included. We described the frequency of E. coli detection and subsequent modifications in antibiotic strategies. Among the 2,471 mPCRs performed, 338 (14%) tested positive for at least one E. coli pathotype. The patient's mean age was 4.2 years, with 95% experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical presentation was generally comparable between E. coli pathotypes. A recent travel abroad was reported in 68/338 (20%) cases and was mainly observed in EIEC/ Shigella infections. An E. coli was detected alone in 177/338 (52%) cases and with another virus, bacteria, or parasite in 161 (48%) cases. Multiple enteric pathogens were mainly detected with ETEC ( n = 24/26, 92%) and EAEC ( n = 82/121, 68%) detections. Antibiotic therapy was prescribed in 136/338 (40%) cases, with initiation based on mPCR results in 69/338 (20%). No antibiotic therapy was discontinued following positive mPCR results. Among the 69 initiations, 31 were deemed inappropriate after retrospective chart review. E. coli detection with mPCR tests may lead to inappropriate antibiotic initiation. Caution is advised when interpreting results from gastrointestinal mPCRs in children, as clinicians may be unaware of their often unclear or irrelevant clinical significance.
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