Related Experiment Videos
[Acute gastroenteritis: a prospective study of 445 cases]
Revista Clinica Espanola
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Salmonella species are the primary cause of adult acute gastroenteritis (AG) in Barcelona. Clinical signs can help identify AG cases caused by Salmonella, but further research is needed to predict bacteremia.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis (AG) is a common condition requiring emergency care.
- Identifying the causative agents and predicting severity, such as bacteremia, is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the common causes of AG in adult patients in Barcelona.
- To evaluate clinical and biological markers for identifying AG caused by invasive microorganisms, specifically Salmonella, and predicting bacteremia.
Main Methods:
- A study of 445 adult patients with acute gastroenteritis admitted to emergency wards.
- Analysis of stool cultures to identify bacterial pathogens.
- Evaluation of clinical signs, patient history, and laboratory results to identify indicators of infection and bacteremia.
Main Results:
- Salmonella species were identified in 35% of stool cultures, with Salmonella enteritidis being the most common serotype.
- Salmonella bacteremia occurred in 7.8% of patients with positive stool cultures.
- Clinical factors like underlying disease, dehydration, fever, and family history were associated with positive stool cultures for Salmonella.
Conclusions:
- Salmonella species are the predominant cause of adult AG in the studied community.
- Clinical and biological parameters can help identify patients with Salmonella-induced AG.
- Further investigation is required to identify specific indicators for predicting Salmonella bacteremia.