Pathogens detected in the faeces of children with diarrhoea in a Sydney hospital.
During a 54-week period, faecal samples taken from 350 children under 5 years of age, who were admitted with acute diarrhoea to the infectious diseases ward of a Sydney hospital, were examined for pathogens. Rotavirus was detected as the sole agent in the specimens of 58 patients (16.6%), enteroviruses in those of 26 patients (7.4%), salmonellae in those of 19 patients (5.4%) and Campylobacter jejuni in those of 15 patients (4.3%). Shigellae were not detected. The results are discussed and, in view of the changing patterns of infection, it is suggested that there is a continuing need for research into the causes of enteritis in Australia.
D001315:Australia; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000382:microbiology; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology