Acute diarrhea associated with a Campylobacter and other pathogenic agents in Quito, Ecuador
Guderian, R.H.; Ordóñez, G.; Bossano, R.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 102(4): 333-339
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 2954561 Document Number: 303835
In Quito, Ecuador, the feces of 100 children from 1 to 24 months of age suffering from acute diarrhea were examined for enteropathogens from July to December 1984. One or more microorganisms were identified in 50% of the infants. Campylobacter fetus was isolated in 23% and rotaviruses in 21%. Also found were Shigella sonnei (8%), Shigella flexneri (3%), Shigella boydii (1%), Salmonella enteritidis (3%) and enteropathogenic parasites (6%), predominantly Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. In 24% of the cases, combined infections caused by two or more enteropathogens were detected. A relationship was established between the incidences of the microorganisms and the ages of the infants. Campylobacter was most frequent in children 19 to 24 months old whereas the rotaviruses were most frequently identified in those 13 to 18 months old. In 52.8% of the infants 1 to 12 months old no etiologic agent was identified, and enteropathogenic parasites were found only in those who were older. Inflammatory enteritis presented in 61% of the infants with acute diarrhea, and was characterized by the presence of mucus, leucocytes or erythrocytes detectable in the feces by microscopic examination.