Persistent diarrhea, arthritis, and other complications of enteric infections: a pilot survey based on California FoodNet surveillance, 1998-1999.
Numerous complications of enteric infections have been described, including persistent diarrhea, reactive arthritis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. We determined the frequency of self-reported complications of enteric infections in a pilot study in the California site of the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network. From 1 April 1998 through 31 March 1999, active surveillance identified 1454 infections in Alameda and San Francisco counties, of which 52% were Campylobacter infections, 22% were Salmonella infections, 15% were Shigella infections, 6% were Cryptosporidium infections, 2% were Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections, 2% were Yersinia infections, and 1% were Vibrio infections. We mailed surveys to 1331 eligible participants, and 571 (43%) were returned. A new health problem following infection was reported by 153 (27%) of the respondents: 12 (8%) reported new onset of joint pain and 53 (35%) reported new gastrointestinal symptoms, of whom 38 reported persistent diarrhea, including 2 who reported irritable bowel syndrome. Three respondents reported hair loss. The frequency, nature, and etiology of these complications merit further investigation.
Rees
Judy R
JR
California Emerging Infections Program, Oakland, CA, USA. judith.rees@dartmouth.edu
Pannier
Mary Ann
MA
McNees
Alexander
A
Shallow
Sue
S
Angulo
Frederick J
FJ
Vugia
Duc J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012760:Shigella