Acute bacterial enteritis in children. Etiological, clinical and epidemiological findings in a 5-year hospital case series
Cataldo, F.; Trippiedi, M.A.; Traverso, M.G.; Gallo, G.; Ruggeri, G.
La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica Medical and Surgical Pediatrics 9(5): 593-597
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5387 PMID: 3441434 Document Number: 289455
The Authors carried out retrospective research into bacterial enteritis observed during the past 5 years (Jan. 1982-Dec. 1986) in Pediatric Clinic R of Palermo. The pathogenic agents more frequently isolated were minor salmonellas, followed by E. Coli and shigellas. The first ones showed an incidence almost constant during the five years, while the second and third ones presented epidemic tops in 1982 and 1985. Inside the salmonellas' group it was evidenced a prevalence of S.T. Murium (44.71%), of S. Corvallis (21.13%) and of S. Enteridis (11.38%) and inside the shigellas' group S. Sonnei was more evident (80.43%). A higher incidence of bacterial enteritis appeared: during the period summer-autumn, in patients under one year or undernourished, in those coming from lower social classes, not breast-fed or wrongly fed. An accurate analyses of symptoms has not allowed an aetiological diagnosis, and clinical course of illness was always favourable. The therapy more often used was rehydration, associated with antibiotics only in very serious cases.