THE ETIOLOGY OF EARLY-CHILDHOOD DIARRHEA - A COMMUNITY STUDY FROM GUINEA-BISSAU

A potential enteropathogen was found in 50% of 1219 diarrheal episodes and 48% of 511 asymptomatic controls in a 1-year community study of c hildhood diarrhea. Rotavirus (3% of episodes), Cryptosporidinm species (6%), and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) with EPEC adherenc e factor (4%) were more prevalent in cases than controls. Giardia lamb lia (19%) was the most prevalent organism but was not associated with diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (12%), Strongyloides stercoralis (5% ), Shigella species (2%), Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites (2%), and Vibrio cholerae (1%) were found at nonsignificantly higher rates. Sal monella and Campylobacter species were more prevalent among control in fants. Cryptosporidium species and sequential infections from other pa thogens caused persistent diarrhea.