title: Prevalence of enteric pathogens among community based asymptomatic individuals.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hellard
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fairley
mesh_terms: 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