Population-based incidence of infection with selected bacterial enteric pathogens in children younger than five years of age, 1996-1998.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies of bacterial enteric infections have suggested a disproportionate disease burden for children younger than 5 years of age.


OBJECTIVE
This study describes population-based incidence of culture-confirmed infections with 6 bacterial enteric pathogens in children younger than 5 years of age in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), 1996-1998.


METHODS
Cases were ascertained through active laboratory-based surveillance in Minnesota, Oregon and selected counties in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland and New York.


RESULTS
Twenty-one percent (5218 of 24,358) of infections were in children younger than 5 years of age, but this age group made up only 7% of the total person-years of observation. Among those younger than 5 years of age, the incidence (cases per 100,000 person-years) for each pathogen was: Salmonella, 55.3; Campylobacter, 43.4; Shigella, 32.7; E. coli O157, 10.3; Yersinia enterocolitica, 7.1; Listeria monocytogenes, 0.7. Incidence varied widely among the 7 FoodNet sites.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed a disproportionate disease burden in young children. Investigation of risk factors specific to this age group and review and enhancement of current prevention and control strategies for children younger than 5 years of age may reduce illness.
Koehler
Kathleen M
KM
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA. kathleen.koehler@hhs.gov
Lasky
Tamar
T
Fein
Sara B
SB
Delong
Stephanie M
SM
Hawkins
Marguerite A
MA
Rabatsky-Ehr
Therese
T
Ray
Susan M
SM
Shiferaw
Beletshachew
B
Swanson
Ellen
E
Vugia
Duc J
DJ
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002167:Campylobacter; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons