The etiology of early childhood diarrhea: a community study from Guinea-Bissau

J Infect Dis. 1994 Mar;169(3):581-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/169.3.581.

Abstract

A potential enteropathogen was found in 50% of 1219 diarrheal episodes and 48% of 511 asymptomatic controls in a 1-year community study of childhood diarrhea. Rotavirus (3% of episodes), Cryptosporidium species (6%), and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) with EPEC adherence factor (4%) were more prevalent in cases than controls. Giardia lamblia (19%) was the most prevalent organism but was not associated with diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (12%), Strongyloides stercoralis (5%), Shigella species (2%), Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites (2%), and Vibrio cholerae (1%) were found at nonsignificantly higher rates. Salmonella and Campylobacter species were more prevalent among control infants. Cryptosporidium species and sequential infections from other pathogens caused persistent diarrhea.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea / complications
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea / etiology*
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Female
  • Guinea-Bissau / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seasons