Increased stool sampling during a waterborne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis does not increase the detection of other faecal pathogens.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the effect of enhanced surveillance following an outbreak of waterborne cryptosporidiosis on the number of faecal specimens submitted to the local microbiology laboratory and the number positive for common enteric pathogens. The outbreak provided an opportunity to estimate the extent of routine under ascertainment of common enteric pathogens.


METHODS
Retrospective search of the computerised microbiology system database for details of faecal examination requests for the period 26 April to 6 June in 1998 and 1999 (period of outbreak).


RESULTS
Specimens were received from 378 community patients during the six week period 26 April to 6 June 1999. This was double that for the same period in 1998 (a non-outbreak year). Oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum were detected in 59 patients, an eightfold increase compared with the same period in 1998. Despite the greater number of patients tested, the detection of other pathogens in patients with gastroenteritis was not altered when compared with the same period in the previous year.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found no evidence of under ascertainment of gastrointestinal infection (common bacterial pathogens and rotavirus) by local general practitioners.
Qamruddin
A O
AO
Department of Medical Microbiology, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Hope Hospital, Salford M6 8HD, UK.
Keaney
M G L
MG
McCann
R
R
Chadwick
P R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology; D014881:Water Supply
D014867:Water