Etiology of diarrhea in a rural community in western Thailand: importance of enteric viruses and enterovirulent Escherichia coli

Abstract

The etiology of gastroenteritis was determined in children and adults with diarrhea seen at a district hospital and three government health clinics in Suan Phung, western Thailand, in 1991. Enteric viruses (rotavirus and astrovirus) were identified in 40%, shigellae in 18%, attaching and effacing Escherichia coli in 13%, Campylobacter jejuni in 9%, and enterotoxigenic E. coli in 7% of children < 5 years old with diarrhea seen at the hospital. Enteric viruses were detected in 15% (24/156) of patients with diarrhea > or = 5 years old and were the only enteric pathogens identified in 12 patients ages 7-79 years (2 astrovirus, 10 rotavirus infections). Attaching and effacing E. coli, rotavirus, and astrovirus were potential causes of diarrhea in children and adults in this population.