[Trend and seasonal variations of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in Valladolid, Spain. A five-year series, 2000-2004].
BACKGROUND
Campylobacter is one of the main enteric pathogens, nevertheless many aspects of its epidemiology still are not well known. This study aims to analyze the trend and seasonal pattern in Valladolid.


METHODS
A time series analysis was developed using an additive model. The information sources were the reports to the Microbiological Information System from the main hospitals in Valladolid. Patients who showed a positive coproculture to Campylobacter spp. in the period 2000-2004 were considered cases. Trend, seasonal coefficients, incidence rates by age, sex and year of notification and incidence rate ratios were calculated.


RESULTS
A decreasing trend in reported cases was observed. A significant seasonal coefficient was obtained in the 6th four-week period (c=12,854, p = 0.023). The incidence rate was higher among those under five years of age and among males, rising up to 1841.9 cases (95% CI: 1797.2-1889.6) and 99.7 cases (95% CI: 96.9-102.4) per 100,000 inhabitants-year respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Campylobacter infections occurs to a greater extent in late springtime, affecting mainly children. It is necessary to delve deeper into the knowledge of the epidemiology of this microorganism at the local level with a multidisciplinary approach, taking both microbiological and epidemiological aspects into account.
Luquero Alcalde
Francisco Javier
FJ
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Púiblica, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid. luquero@gmail.com
Sánchez Padilla
Elisabeth
E
Eiros Bouza
José María
JM
Domínguez-Gil González
Marta
M
Gobernado Serrano
Carmen
C
Bachiller Luquer
Rosario
R
Castrodeza Sanz
Jose Javier
JJ
Ortiz de Lejarazu
Raúl
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons