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Acute childhood diarrhoea in Naples: an aetiologic study
Insights
In 56% of children hospitalized for acute diarrhea, a cause was found, with rotavirus and Salmonella being most common. Salmonella rates were higher than expected, and the role of some E. coli strains needs more study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a common cause of hospitalization in children.
- Identifying causative agents is crucial for effective treatment and public health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the etiologic agents responsible for acute diarrhea in hospitalized children in Naples.
- To compare the prevalence of identified pathogens with existing epidemiological data.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples from 118 hospitalized children with acute diarrhea were analyzed.
- Standard microbiological techniques were used to detect common bacterial and viral pathogens.
Main Results:
- A potential etiologic agent was detected in 56% of cases.
- Rotavirus (23%) and Salmonella (17%) were the most frequently identified pathogens.
- Campylobacter jejuni, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Yersinia, and Shigella accounted for 11% of cases.
- Salmonella isolation rates exceeded those reported in other developed countries.
- Cytotoxic E. coli strains were found in 18 children, with an unknown pathogenic role.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus and Salmonella are significant causes of acute diarrhea in hospitalized children in Naples.
- The high prevalence of Salmonella warrants further investigation and may indicate unique local epidemiological factors.
- The role of cytotoxic E. coli strains in pediatric diarrhea requires additional research.
Abstract:
A potential aetiologic agent was detected in the stools of 56% of 118 children hospitalized in Naples for acute diarrhoea. Rotavirus and Salmonella were the agents most commonly associated with disease, accounting for 23 and 17 percent of cases, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Yersinia and Shigella were less frequently isolated (total, 11% of cases). These findings fit well with the epidemiological picture described for other developed countries, except for the isolation rate of Salmonella which widely exceeds that reported in other investigations. Cytotoxic strains of E. coli and other Gram-negative bacilli were identified in the stools of 18 children; the possible pathogenic role of these strains is unknown and needs further investigation.