Measles-associated diarrhea in hospitalized children in Lima, Peru: pathogenic agents and impact on growth.
Because the causes of measles-associated diarrhea are not well known, 0- to 5-year-old children presenting to the hospital with measles-associated diarrhea (cases, n = 77) or acute diarrhea only (controls, n = 77) were compared. Growth and diarrheal morbidity were evaluated for 1 month after acute illness. Campylobacter jejuni was more frequently isolated from cases (31%) than controls (16%; P = .03). Rotavirus was absent in all cases versus 28% of controls (P less than .001). Incidence density for new episodes of diarrhea was significantly greater in cases (6.5 vs. 4.1; odds ratio, 1.6; confidence intervals, 1.09-2.34; P = .01), as was duration of episodes (3 vs. 2 days, P = .02). Both groups showed similar positive cumulative percentage weight gains throughout follow-up. These data support the theory of measles as a risk factor for developing diarrhea. The bacteriologic and virologic findings may reflect the immunologic response of the host to measles infection.
Greenberg
B L
BL
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Sack
R B
RB
Salazar-Lindo
E
E
Budge
E
E
Gutierrez
M
M
Campos
M
M
Visberg
A
A
Leon-Barua
R
R
Yi
A
A
Maurutia
D
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000886:Anthropometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010568:Peru