Infectious diarrhoea in Hong Kong

Abstract

The role of enteric pathogens in diarrhoeal patients presenting at a large general hospital in Hong Kong from May 1984 to December 1990 was assessed. A total of 3267 organisms were isolated. The gastroenteric salmonellae were the most common pathogens (45%), followed by rotavirus (34%) and campylobacters (11%). Shigellae or vibrios constituted 5% or less of the total isolations. Both salmonellae and campylobacters were isolated more often from infants while rotavirus was more common in young children aged 1-4 years. Shigellae commonly affected young adults and vibrios mainly older patients. Rotavirus was most commonly isolated in the winter months while salmonellae and vibrios were more common in the hotter months. There was no seasonal predominance for shigellosis. Multiple infections occurred in 86 patients (3% of total cases); 42 of these patients had concurrent Salmonella and rotavirus infections and 22 had Campylobacter and rotavirus infections. Salmonellae remain a major public health problem in Hong Kong.