Diarrhea Associated with Rotaviruses, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli, Campylobacter, and other Agents in Costa Rican Children, 1976–1981

Authors:
  • LMLeonardo Mata
    Leonardo Mata
  • ASAlberto Simhon
    Alberto Simhon
  • RPRoberto Padilla
    Roberto Padilla
  • MGMaría del Mar Gamboa
    María del Mar Gamboa
  • GVGuillermo Vargas
    Guillermo Vargas
  • FHFrancisco Hernández
    Francisco Hernández
  • EMEdgar Mohs
    Edgar Mohs
  • CLCecilia Lizano
    Cecilia Lizano
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Abstract
Rotaviruses, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and parasites were investigated in outpatient diarrheic children, and in hospitalized diarrheic and nondiarrheic children, between January 1976 and June 1979. In outpatient cases studied within 4 days of onset of symptoms, rotaviruses were the most common agents (45.3%); E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin ranked second (13.4%); Shigella was third (8.1%); Salmonella was fourth (7.3%). In 63.2%, one or more enteric agents were detected. In hospitalized non-diarrheic children, asymptomatic shedding of pathogens was rarely observed. A later survey of outpatient diarrheic children revealed Campylobacter fetus jejuni in 8%. In 5.5 years of observation rotaviruses were endemic with excess frequency in the dry and cooler months of December and January. The excess occurrence of bacterial pathogens did not coincide with that of rotaviruses.