A cohort study of enteric campylobacter infection in children from birth to two years in Bangui (Central African Republic).
A cohort of 111 children from Bangui, Central African Republic, was followed for enteric campylobacter infection from birth until the age of 2 years. Stools were examined at each episode of diarrhoea, and bi-weekly up to the age of 6 months irrespective of the presence of diarrhoea. 349 episodes of diarrhoeal illness were recorded (1.6 per child-year). Campylobacters were isolated from 41 (11.7%) of the 349 episodes, but in half of them another enteric pathogen was also isolated. Campylobacters were statistically associated with diarrhoea only before the age of 6 months. Bi-weekly sampling up to this age detected 75 infections (1.3 per child-year), yet only 12 (16%) were associated with diarrhoea. Campylobacter coli was isolated slightly more often (51%) than C jejuni (49%); biotyping and serogrouping showed that no strain was especially associated with disease. Fewer children who had campylobacter infection before the age of 6 months suffered campylobacter diarrhoea between 6 and 24 months of age than those who did not, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. A significantly higher rate of isolation was found in the homes of infected children (human and animal contacts) than of non-infected children. Campylobacter infections were statistically associated with the presence of live poultry and the lack of piped water in homes.
Georges-Courbot
M C
MC
Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Central African Republic.
Cassel-Beraud
A M
AM
Gouandjika
I
I
Monges
J
J
Georges
A J
AJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014881:Water Supply