Prevalence of enteric pathogens among community based asymptomatic individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in asymptomatic individuals in a community study in Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
The study population was a subset of 2803 individuals participating in the Water Quality Study; a community based randomized trial. Faecal specimens (1091) were collected over a 3-month period from asymptomatic individuals. Specimens were tested for a range of bacteria including Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter species. Rotavirus and adenovirus were detected using a Rota-Adeno latex kit, and protozoa were detected using a permanent stain (modified iron-haemotoxylin).


RESULTS
Twenty-eight known pathogens were identified from the 1091 faecal specimens, a total carriage rate of 2.6%. Giardia species were present in 18 specimens (1.6%), Salmonella in four (0.4%), Campylobacter in one (0.1%), Cryptosporidium in four (0.4%) and adenovirus in one (0.1%). Blastocystis hominis was found in 65 specimens. The median age of those without a pathogen was 12.5 years compared with 6.6 years for those with a pathogen (P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Except for Giardia, pathogens were rarely found in asymptomatic individuals in the community. The prevalence of pathogens was higher in children than adults.
Hellard
M E
ME
Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
Sinclair
M I
MI
Hogg
G G
GG
Fairley
C K
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014871:Water Microbiology