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INTRODUCTION: The multifactorial etiology of gastroenteritis emphasizes the need for different laboratory methods to identify or exclude infectious agents and evaluate the severity of diarrheal disease. OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the infectious etiology in diarrheic children and to evaluate some fecal markers associated with intestinal integrity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 45 children with diarrheal disease, tested for enteropathogens and malabsorption markers, and 76 children whose feces were used for fat evaluation by the traditional and acid steatocrit tests. RESULTS: We observed acute diarrhea in 80% of the children and persistent diarrhea in 20%. Of the diarrheic individuals analyzed, 40% were positive for enteropathogens, with rotavirus (13.3%) and Giardia duodenalis (11.1%) the most frequently diagnosed. Among the infected patients, occult blood was more evident in those carrying pathogenic bacteria (40%) and enteroviruses (40%), while steatorrhea was observed in infections by the protozoa G. duodenalis (35.7%). Children with diarrhea excreted significantly more lipids in feces than non-diarrheic children, as determined by the traditional (p<0.0003) and acid steatocrit (p<0.0001) methods. Moreover, the acid steatocrit method detected 16.7% more fecal fat than the traditional method. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood diarrhea can lead to increasingly severe nutrient deficiencies. Steatorrhea is the hallmark of malabsorption, and a stool test, such as the acid steatocrit, can be routinely used as a laboratory tool for the semi-quantitative evaluation of fat malabsorption in diarrheic children.

Introducción. La etiología multifactorial de la gastroenteritis enfatiza la necesidad de usar diferentes métodos de laboratorio para identificar o excluir agentes infecciosos y evaluar la gravedad de la enfermedad diarreica. Objetivo. Diagnosticar la etiología infecciosa de la diarrea en niños y evaluar algunos marcadores fecales asociados con la integridad intestinal. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 45 niños con enfermedad diarreica, en los cuales se evaluaron la presencia de enteropatógenos y los marcadores de malabsorción. Se analizaron las muestras fecales de 76 niños, mediante las pruebas de esteatocrito tradicional y esteatocrito ácido, para la cuantificación de la grasa. Resultados. Se observó diarrea aguda en el 80 % de los niños y diarrea persistente en el 20 %. De los individuos con diarrea, el 40 % fue positivo para enteropatógenos; los más diagnosticados fueron rotavirus (13,3 %) y Giardia duodenalis (11,1 %). Entre los pacientes infectados, la sangre oculta fue más evidente en aquellos portadores de bacterias patógenas (40 %) o enterovirus (40%), mientras que la esteatorrea se observó en infecciones por el protozoo G. duodenalis (35,7 %). Los niños con diarrea excretaron significativamente más lípidos en las heces que aquellos sin diarrea, según lo determinado por los métodos de esteatocrito tradicional (p<0,0003) y esteatocrito ácido (p<0,0001). Conclusiones. La diarrea infantil puede provocar deficiencias graves de nutrientes. La esteatorrea es distintiva de la malabsorción intestinal y puede detectarse mediante la estimación del esteatocrito ácido. Esta prueba podría utilizarse de forma rutinaria como una herramienta de laboratorio para la evaluación semicuantitativa de la malabsorción de grasas en niños con diarrea.

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Introduction: Norovirus infection is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Surveillance activities are important to aid investigation into effective norovirus control strategies, including vaccination. Here, we report ancillary findings related to the incidence, prevalence, and etiology of AGE caused by norovirus in Panama after adjustment of study methodology to comply with national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mandates. Methods: In January 2020, children aged <2 years began enrolling into an epidemiological study in Panama to estimate the burden of norovirus in preparation for evaluating upcoming prevention strategies. This included an observational, longitudinal, community-based AGE surveillance study and a hospital-based AGE surveillance study. For the longitudinal study, healthy children aged 5-18 months were enrolled from January 6 through March 23, 2020, with a follow-up of approximately 6 months. The last participant was contacted on September 23, 2020. For the hospital-based study, starting on January 21, 2020, children aged <2 years who were admitted to the Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel in Panama City due to AGE were evaluated. The last sample was collected on September 29, 2020. Collected stool samples were tested for norovirus as well as astrovirus, sapovirus, and various enteropathogens. Unfortunately, this study was disrupted by the subsequent implementation of disease transmission control procedures for the COVID-19 pandemic, and the study methodology was revised to comply with COVID-19 mandates. Results: In the longitudinal surveillance cohort [N = 400 (Chiriquí, n = 239; Panama, n = 161)], a total of 185 AGE episodes were documented (Chiriquí, n = 85; Panama, n = 100) resulting in an overall AGE incidence of 11.6 (95% CI: 9.99-13.4) episodes per 100 child-months. The norovirus-related AGE incidence was 0.3 (95% CI: 0.10-0.73) episodes per 100 child-months (5/185 AGE episodes) and the prevalence of norovirus was 4.6% (13/282 stool samples collected). In the hospital-based surveillance cohort, at least one pathogen was detected in 50% of samples (44/88 stool samples collected) and norovirus prevalence was 6.8% (6/88 stool samples collected). Discussion: This report demonstrates how the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the conduct of clinical trials. However, this also created unique research opportunities to investigate the potential impact of pandemic control measures on the etiology of infectious diarrheal disease.

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Norovirus is a major cause of acute diarrheal disease (ADD) outbreaks worldwide. In the present study, we investigated an ADD outbreak caused by norovirus in several municipalities of Santa Catarina state during the summer season, southern Brazil in 2023. As of the 10th epidemiological week of 2023, approximately 87 000 ADD cases were reported, with the capital, Florianópolis, recording the highest number of cases throughout the weeks. By using RT-qPCR and sequencing, we detected 10 different genotypes, from both genogroups (G) I and II. Some rare genotypes were also identified. Additionally, rotavirus and human adenovirus were sporadically detected among the ADD cases. Several features of the outbreak suggest that sewage-contaminated water could played a role in the surge of ADD cases. Storm events in Santa Catarina state that preceded the outbreak likely increased the discharge of contaminated wastewater and stormwater into water bodies, such as rivers and beaches during a high touristic season in the state. Climate change-induced extreme weather events, including intensified rainfall and frequent floods, can disturb healthcare and sanitation systems. Implementing public policies for effective sanitation, particularly during peak times, is crucial to maintain environmental equilibrium and counter marine pollution.

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Objetivo: Detectar los patotipos de Escherichia coli en una población pediátrica con enfermedad diarreica aguda en la ciudad de Rosario para adoptar medidas de intervención oportunas y eficaces en Salud Pública. Materiales y métodos: Se estudiaron 360 muestras de heces de niños menores de 15 años que presentaron cuadro diarreico agudo y que concurrieron a un hospital pediátrico de la ciudad de Rosario, Argentina. La investigación se realizó desde enero de 2021 a abril del 2022. La detección de patotipos se realizó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados: Se identificaron el 21.11% de Escherichia coli diarrogénicas (DEC). Se detectaron los genes de virulencia correspondientes a: E. coli enteroagregativa (EAEC) (42,10%), E. coli enteroinvasiva (EIEC) (23.68%), E. coli enterotoxigénica ETEC) (14.47%), E. coli enteropatógena (EPEC) (15.79%) y E. coli enterohemorrágica (EHEC) (1.32%). Se detectaron infecciones mixtas por EAEC/EPEC (1.32%) y ETEC/EAEC (1.32%). Conclusiones: Los métodos de diagnóstico moleculares son una herramienta fundamental en el estudio de la epidemiologia de las enfermedades diarreicas aguda. Más aún, su implementación resulta primordial para identificar del agente etiológico de DEC, disminuir la diseminación de estos patógenos y reducir así la morbi-mortalidad asociada a las diarreas en la población pediátrica.

Objective: Detect Escherichia coli pathotypes in a pediatric population with acute diarrheal disease in the city of Rosario to adopt timely and effective intervention measures in Public Health. Material and methods: A total of 360 fecal samples from pediatric patient with ADD and who attended in a pediatric hospital in Rosario, Argentina, were studied. The research was carried out from January 2021 to April 2022. The identification of pathotypes was carried out by polymerase chain reaction. Results: 21.11% diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) strains were identified. The virulence genes corresponding to all the pathotypes studied were detected: enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (42.10%), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) (23.68%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (14.47%), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (15.79%) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) (1.32%). Mixed EAEC/EPEC (1.32%) and ETEC/EAEC (1.32%) infections were detected. Conclusions: Molecular diagnostic methods are a fundamental tool in the study of the epidemiology of acute diarrheal disease. The application of these techniques is essential to identify the etiological agent of DEC, reduce the spread of these pathogens and thus reduce morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in the pediatric population.

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Introducción: las enfermedades diarreicas agudas son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad de la población infantil a nivel mundial y en países en vías de desarrollo. Objetivo: identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la diarrea aguda en niños menores de un año del municipio Bayamo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de casos y controles, en niños menores de 1 años pertenecientes al municipio Bayamo, que ingresaron con enfermedad diarreica aguda en el Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Docente "General Milanés" en el año 2022. La muestra constituida por 246 pacientes, 82 casos y 164 controles. Se realizó el análisis univariado y multivariado: la razón de productos cruzados y el Chi cuadrado, con una confiabilidad del 95% y una probabilidad menor de 0.05. Resultados: en el análisis univariado la no lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los 6 meses fue el factor de mayor significación estadística (OR 20,695, IC 7,360-58,188 P=0,000), seguido de la desnutrición (OR 10,503 IC 3,322-33,213 P=0,000), uso previo de antimicrobiano (OR 7,798 IC 2,803-21,684 P=0,000. En el análisis multivariado el factor que mostró mayor independencia fue la no lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los 6 meses. Conclusiones: la no lactancia materna hasta los 6 meses de edad resultó ser el factor de mayor riesgo para desarrollar una enfermedad diarreica aguda, seguido de la desnutrición y uso previo de antimicrobiano.

SUMMARY Introduction: acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide and in developing countries. Objective: to identify the risk factors associated with acute diarrhea in children under one year of age in the Bayamo municipality. Methods: an analytical observational study of cases and controls was carried out in children under 1 year of age belonging to the Bayamo municipality, who were admitted with acute diarrheal disease to the "General Milanés" Provincial Pediatric Teaching Hospital in 2022. The sample was made up of 246 patients, 82 cases and 164 controls. The univariate and multivariate analysis was performed: the cross-product ratio (Odd Ratio) and the Chi square, with a reliability of 95% and a probability of less than 0.05. Results: in the univariate analysis, non-exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months was the factor with the greatest statistical significance (OR 20.695, CI 7.360-58.188 P=0.000), followed by malnutrition (OR 10.503 CI 3.322-33.213 P=0.000). previous use of antimicrobial (OR 7.798 CI 2.803-21.684 P=0.000. In the multivariate analysis, the factor that showed greater independence was not exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months. Conclusions: Non-breastfeeding until 6 months of age turned out to be the highest risk factor for developing an acute diarrheal disease, followed by malnutrition and previous use of antimicrobials.

Introdução: as doenças diarreicas agudas são uma importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade em crianças em todo o mundo e em países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo: identificar os fatores de risco associados à diarreia aguda em crianças menores de um ano de idade no município de Bayamo. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional, analítico, caso-controle em crianças menores de 1 ano de idade pertencentes ao município de Bayamo, que foram admitidas com doença diarreica aguda no Hospital Universitário Pediátrico Provincial "General Milanés" em 2022. A amostra foi composta por 246 pacientes, 82 casos e 164 controles. Foram realizadas análises univariada e multivariada: a razão de produtos cruzados e o Qui-quadrado, com confiabilidade de 95% e probabilidade menor que 0,05. Resultados: na análise univariada, o aleitamento materno não exclusivo até os 6 meses de idade foi o fator estatisticamente mais significativo (OR 20,695, IC 7,360-58,188, P=0,000), seguido de desnutrição (OR 10,503, IC 3,322-33,213, P=0,000), uso prévio de antimicrobianos (OR, 7,798, IC 2,803-21,684, P=0,000. Na análise multivariada, o fator que apresentou maior independência foi o aleitamento materno não exclusivo até os 6 meses. Conclusões: não amamentar até os 6 meses de idade foi o maior fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de doença diarreica aguda, seguido de desnutrição e uso prévio de antimicrobianos.

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Viruses represent the primary etiologic agents (70-80%) of acute diarrheal disease (ADD), and rotavirus (RV) is the most relevant one. Currently, four rotavirus vaccines are available. However, these vaccines do not protect against emerging viral strains or are not available in low-income countries. To date, there are no approved drugs available against rotavirus infection. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro anti-rotaviral activity and intestinal toxicity of a phytotherapeutic prototype obtained from Achyrocline bogotensis (Kunth) DC. (PPAb); medicinal plant that contains compounds that inhibit the rotavirus replication cycle. Virucidal and viral yield reduction effects exerted by the PPAb were evaluated by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the toxic impact of the PPAb was evaluated in polarized human intestinal epithelial C2BBe1 cells in terms of cytotoxicity, loss of cytoplasmic membrane asymmetry, and DNA fragmentation by MTT and fluorometry. PPAb concentrations under 0.49 mg/mL exerted significant virucidal and viral yield reduction activities, and concentrations under 16 mg/mL neither reduced cell viability, produced DNA fragmentation, nor compromised the C2BBe1cell membrane stability after 24-h incubation. Based on these results, the evaluated phytotherapeutic prototype of Achyrocline bogotensis might be considered as a promising alternative to treat ADD caused by rotavirus.

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INTRODUCTION: Vibrio cholerae is a microorganism that causes acute diarrheal diseases and cholera, one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality, especially in children under five years old. It is present in many regions and has been isolated from diverse sources such as water, soil and food. Surveillance of this microorganism in Cuba from 1985 through June 1997 showed circulation of non-epidemic non-O1/non-O139 serogroups, but surveillance continued to identify distribution of V. cholerae serotypes and serogroups in the different geographic regions of the country during the following years, due to the risk of introducing cholera-causing serogroups that provoked cholera epidemics in other countries of the region. OBJECTIVE: Describe the temporal‒spatial distribution of serogroups and serotypes of V. cholerae in Cuba. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included isolates from passive surveillance of V. cholerae in 16 hygiene and epidemiology centers throughout Cuba from July 1997 through December 2019, submitted to the National Reference Laboratory for Acute Diarrheal Diseases of the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana, Cuba. The timeline was subdivided into three five-year periods and one eight-year period. The centers submitting isolates were grouped into three geographical regions: western, central and eastern Cuba. A total of 1060 V. cholerae isolates were studied, from the 1438 samples sent from 15 Provincial Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology Centers and the Municipal Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology Center of the Isle of Youth Special Municipality. Genus, species and serotype of all specimens were studied and reviewed in the context of the outbreaks of acute diarrheal diseases reported in the country. RESULTS: All 1060 isolates were confirmed as V. cholerae. In the distribution by time period and region, the highest percentage occurred in the 2012‒2019 period, and the eastern region contributed the most isolates in all periods. Approximately 63.9% (677/1060) were from outbreaks, and in the 2012‒2019 period, the most epidemic-causing isolates came from the western region. Approximately 52.8% (560/1060) were identified as non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae, and 47.2% (500/1060) as O1 V. cholerae; of these, 96.4% (482/500) corresponded to Ogawa serotype and 3.6% (18/500) to Inaba. Circulation of non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae occurred throughout the entire period. The O1 serogroup began to circulate in 2012 and continued through 2016; however, since 2017, it has not been identified again. In the western region, there were smaller percentages of isolates of non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae in all periods, except 2012‒2019. In that period, V. cholerae O1 was identified to a lesser degree in the central region. CONCLUSIONS: Vibrio cholerae circulated in all three Cuban regions during the years studied, with a higher percentage of isolates of the non-O1/non-O139 serogroup, which caused outbreaks or sporadic cases of diarrhea in the eastern region, with the exception of the 2012‒2019 period, when epidemic outbreaks of the O1 serogroup (which causes cholera) occurred in all three regions, with higher percentages in the western region.

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Enteroviruses (EV) are predominantly enteric viruses, present in all parts of the world causing disease in humans with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. The purpose of this study was to identify non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) in stool samples collected from children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) symptoms of unknown etiology in four provinces (Maputo, Nampula, Sofala and Zambézia) of Mozambique. From June 2014 to March 2018, 327 stool samples were collected from children hospitalized with AGE in health care units. NPEVs were detected in 52 samples (52/327; 15.9%) and were more frequent in children under 5 years of age. The age group from 12 to 23 months was the most affected and showed more severity of disease. We also identified 26 different EV-types with the following detection pattern EV-B>EV-C>EV-A. The major EV-types were EV-A119 (9/52; 17.3%) and EV-C99 (8/52; 15.4%), accounting for 32.7% of the total. In addition to EV-A119, other uncommon EV-types were also identified, such as EV-B75, EV-B97 and EV-C113. The current study shows a high heterogeneity of EV types circulating in children with AGE in Mozambique as well as the identification of rarely described enteroviruses.

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Rotavirus A (RVA) has been considered the main cause of diarrheal disease in children under five years in emergency services in both developed and developing countries. RVA belongs to the Reoviridae family, which comprises 11 segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a genomic constellation that encodes for six structural and five to six nonstructural proteins. RVA has been classified in a binary system with Gx[Px] based on the spike protein (VP4) and the major outer capsid glycoprotein (VP7), respectively. The emerging equine-like G3P[8] DS-1-like strains reported worldwide in humans have arisen an important concern. Here, we carry out the complete genome characterization of a previously reported G3P[8] strain in order to recognize the genetic diversity of RVA circulating among infants in Colombia. A near-full genome phylogenetic analysis was done, confirming the presence of the novel equine-like G3P[8] with a Wa-like backbone for the first time in Colombia. This study demonstrated the importance of surveillance of emerging viruses in the Colombian population; furthermore, additional studies must focus on the understanding of the spread and transmission dynamic of this important RVA strain in different areas of the country.

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RESUMEN: La enfermedad diarreica aguda infantil (EDAI), constituye un problema de salud pública, representando la 2ª causa de morbimortalidad infantil en menores de 5 años, en el Ecuador. La hidratación oral y parenteral en los niños hospitalizados bajo normas de administración de conformidad con el grado de deshidratación y pérdida de peso, así como medidas preventivas como la vacunación obligatoria contra el rotavirus, han contribuido a disminuir, pero no a solucionar este problema de salud infantil. Múltiples factores contribuyen para que no se resuelva: socioeconómicos, educacionales, el destete temprano y malas prácticas alimenticias, entre otros. Últimos estudios han propuesto la utilización de probióticos que contribuyan a disminuir el problema sugieriendo el usode Saccharomyces boulardii (SB), asociado a un prebiótico; lo que permitiría acortar el tiempo de tratamiento de una EDAI; por lo que la simbiosis entre SB y un prebiótico denominado fructooligosacárido (FOS), podría ser una alternativa para reducir costos y complicaciones. Una alternativa para medir el curso clínico de una EDAI en infantes es la escala BITTS, de reciente creación y fácil aplicación por clínicos. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue resumir la evidencia existente respecto del rol de losprobióticos y prebióticos en la terapéutica de de la EDAI.

SUMMARY: In Ecuador childhood acute diarrheal disease (CADD) constitutes a serious public health problem, representing the 2nd cause of infant morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. Oral and parenteral hydration in hospitalized children, with standard treatments according to their degree of dehydration and weight loss, as well as preventive measures such as mandatory vaccination against rotavirus, have contributed to a decrease. Nevertheless, this childhood disease has still not been resolved. There are multiple contributing factors involved that prevent complete eradication of the disease Among these are socio-economic problems, education, early weaning and poor feeding practices, all of which continue to affect infants. Recent studies have proposed the use of probiotics that help reduce the problem and it has been suggested that Saccharomyces boulardii (SB), associated with a prebiotic, would reduce the treatment time of an CADD. Therefore, the symbiosis between the SB probiotic and a prebiotic called fructo- oligosaccharide (FOS) could be an alternative to reduce complications and reduce costs. An alternative to measure the clinical course of an CADD in infants is the BITTS scale, which was recently created and can easily be applied by clinicians. The aim of this manuscript was to summarize the existing evidence regarding the role of PROBIOTICS and prebiotics in the treatment of CADD.

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BACKGROUND: Access to safe, affordable and accessible drinking water is a human right and foundational to the third and sixth World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unsafe drinking water is a risk factor for chronic and enteric diseases. Both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diarrheal disease are highly prevalent in the Lake Chapala basin, Jalisco, Mexico, suggesting disparities in factors leading to successful achievement of these two SDGs. METHODS: This study aimed to assess progress towards SDG three and six in the Lake Chapala basin. Qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial data were collected between May and August of 2019 from three towns within the municipalities of Poncitlán and Chapala. RESULTS: Ninety-nine households participated in this study. Water sampling analyses determined 81.18% of samples from water jugs (garrafones) and 70.05% of samples from tap water were contaminated with total coliform bacteria, often including E. coli. Additionally, 32% of garrafón samples and 61.9% of tap water samples had detectable levels of arsenic. Approximately 97.94% of respondents stated that they believe clean water is a human right, but 78.57% feel the Mexican government does not do enough to make this a reality. CONCLUSIONS: This mixed methods approach highlights water quality as a serious issue in communities around Lake Chapala, and demonstrates inadequate drinking water as a key hazard, potentially perpetuating the high disease burden of both CKD and enteric disease in the region.

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We evaluated the performance of X-bar chart, exponentially weighted moving average, and C3 cumulative sums aberration detection algorithms for acute diarrheal disease syndromic surveillance at naval sites in Peru during 2007-2011. The 3 algorithms' detection sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 97%-99%, and positive predictive value was 27%-46%.

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Introducción: La diarrea del viajero es causa frecuente de hospitalización en turistas internacionales. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes adultos ingresados por diarrea del viajero en la Clínica Internacional de Trinidad durante los años 2015 al 2017. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de los 699 pacientes adultos con diarrea del viajero que requirieron de ingreso en el periodo de estudio. Se revisaron sus historias clínicas para analizar la frecuencia en que estuvieron presentes algunas variables sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas. Para analizar los datos se utilizó la estadística descriptiva con distribución de frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados: El grupo etario entre 19 y 40 años tuvo un 60,52 por ciento de pacientes afectados; el 58,23 por ciento en el sexo femenino, con una incidencia mayor en los meses de julio (12,88 por ciento) y febrero (12,44 por ciento). Los viajeros procedentes de países europeos representaron el 76,97 por ciento ; el 74,96 por ciento se hospedó en casas particulares. El 1,85 por ciento de los afectados presentaba antecedentes de enfermedad gastrointestinal; el 76,11 por ciento requirió de 1 a 6 h de observación, con deshidratación leve (59,66 por ciento) y moderada (21,75 por ciento). El vómito y las náuseas se presentaron en el 58,37 por ciento de los pacientes y en el 60,73 por ciento la causa no fue precisada. Conclusiones: Las variables sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas seleccionadas permitieron describir características de los pacientes adultos ingresados por diarrea del viajero. Se recomienda profundizar en el estudio para contribuir a su prevención y optimizar la atención(AU)

Introduction: Traveler's diarrhea is a frequent cause of hospitalization of international tourists. Objective: Describe the sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of adult patients admitted for traveler's diarrhea to Trinidad International Clinic in the period 2015-2017. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted of the 699 adult patients with traveler's diarrhea who required hospitalization in the study period. The patients' medical records were reviewed to analyze the frequency of some sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics with frequency and percentage distribution. Results: 60.52 percent of the patients affected were in the 19-40 years age group, 58.23 percent were female, and the highest incidence was observed in the months of July (12.88 percent) and February (12.4 4 percent ). Travelers from European countries represented 76.97 percent, and 74.96 percent were staying in private dwellings. Of the patients affected, 1.85 percent had a history of gastrointestinal disease; 76.11percent required 1-6 hours of observation; dehydration was mild in 59.66 percent and moderate in 21.75 percent. Vomiting and nausea were present in 58.37 percent of the patients; in 60.73 percent the cause was not determined. Conclusions: The sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables selected made it possible to characterize the adult patients admitted for traveler's diarrhea. Further research is recommended to contribute to the prevention this disease. Further research is recommended to contribute to the prevention this disease and optimize care(AU)

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Extreme floods pose multiple direct and indirect health risks. These risks include contamination of water, food, and the environment, often causing outbreaks of diarrheal disease. Evidence regarding the effects of flooding on individual diarrhea-causing pathogens is limited, but is urgently needed in order to plan and implement interventions and prioritize resources before climate-related disasters strike. This study applied a causal inference approach to data from a multisite study that deployed broadly inclusive diagnostics for numerous high-burden common enteropathogens. Relative risks (RRs) of infection with each pathogen during a flooding disaster that occurred at one of the sites-Loreto, Peru-were calculated from generalized linear models using a comparative interrupted time series framework with the other sites as a comparison group and adjusting for background seasonality. During the early period of the flood, increased risk of heat-stable enterotoxigenic E. coli (ST-ETEC) was identified (RR = 1.73 [1.10, 2.71]) along with a decreased risk of enteric adenovirus (RR = 0.36 [0.23, 0.58]). During the later period of the flood, sharp increases in the risk of rotavirus (RR = 5.30 [2.70, 10.40]) and sapovirus (RR = 2.47 [1.79, 3.41]) were observed, in addition to increases in transmission of Shigella spp. (RR = 2.86 [1.81, 4.52]) and Campylobacter spp. (RR = 1.41 (1.01, 1.07). Genotype-specific exploratory analysis reveals that the rise in rotavirus transmission during the flood was likely due to the introduction of a locally atypical, non-vaccine (G2P[4]) strain of the virus. Policy-makers should target interventions towards these pathogens-including vaccines as they become available-in settings where vulnerability to flooding is high as part of disaster preparedness strategies, while investments in radical, transformative, community-wide, and locally-tailored water and sanitation interventions are also needed.

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Introducción: Las enfermedades diarreicas agudas (EDA) constituyen un problema de salud pública y son una de las causas más importantes de mortalidad y morbilidad en niños a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de enteropatógenos causantes de EDA en el área metropolitana de Asunción y Central. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transverso. Se analizaron 743 muestras de heces diarreicas, en las cuales se investigó la presencia de Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli diarreigénicas y Rotavirus, utilizando técnicas de referencia. Resultados: En el 31,2% (232/743) de las muestras fue posible identificar al menos uno de los patógenos entéricos investigados, siendo las E. coli diarreigénicas fueron las bacterias identificadas con mayor frecuencia, seguido por Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. y en último lugar, Salmonella spp. Conclusión: La población más afectada corresponde a niños menores de 5 años. El principal patógeno identificado como agente causal de diarreas fueron las E. coli diarreigénicas en primer lugar, seguido por Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. y Salmonella spp. En algunas muestras se detectaron más de un patógeno entérico, encontrando incluso casos de coinfección con hasta cuatro patógenos diferentes.

Introduction: Acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) constitute a public health problem and are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. Objective: To determine the prevalence of enteropathogens causing ADD in the metropolitan area of ​​Asunción and Central. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. 743 samples of diarrheic feces were analyzed, in which the presence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli diarreigenic and Rotavirus was investigated, using reference techniques. Results: In 31.2% (232/743) of the samples it was possible to identify at least one of the enteric pathogens investigated, being the diarrhenetic E. coli were the most frequently identified bacteria, followed by Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. and lastly, Salmonella spp. Conclusion: The most affected population corresponds to children under 5 years of age. The main pathogen identified as the causative agent of diarrhea was diarrigenic E. coli, followed by Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. In some samples more than one enteric pathogen was detected, even finding cases of coinfection with up to four different pathogens.

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Mass gatherings exacerbate infectious disease risks by creating crowded, high-contact conditions and straining the capacity of local infrastructure. While mass gatherings have been extensively studied in the context of epidemic disease transmission, the role of gatherings in incidence of high-burden, endemic infections has not been previously studied. Here, we examine diarrheal incidence among 17 communities in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, in relation to recurrent gatherings characterized using ethnographic data collected during and after the epidemiologic surveillance period (2004-2007). Using distributed-lag generalized estimating equations, adjusted for seasonality, trend, and heavy rainfall events, we found significant increases in diarrhea risk in host villages, peaking 2 weeks after an event's conclusion (incidence rate ratio, 1.21; confidence interval, adjusted for false coverage rate of ≤0.05: 1.02, 1.43). Stratified analysis revealed heightened risks associated with events where crowding and travel were most likely (2-week-lag incidence rate ratio, 1.51; confidence interval, adjusted for false coverage rate of ≤0.05: 1.09, 2.10). Our findings suggest that community-scale mass gatherings might play an important role in endemic diarrheal disease transmission and could be an important focus for interventions to improve community health in low-resource settings.

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Globally, gastrointestinal (GI) infections by enteric pathogens are the second-leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age (≤5 years). While GI pathogen exposure in households has been rigorously examined, there is little data about young children's exposure in public domains. Moreover, public areas in low-income settings are often used for other waste disposal practices in addition to human feces, such as trash dumping in areas near households. If young children play in public domains, they might be exposed to interrelated and highly concentrated microbial, chemical, and physical hazards. This study performed structured observations at 36 public areas in an internally displaced persons community that has transitioned into a formal settlement in Haiti. We documented how often young children played in public areas and quantified behaviors that might lead to illness and injury. Children ≤5 years played at all public sites, which included infants who played at 47% of sites. Children touched and mouthed plastic, metal and glass trash, food and other objects from the ground, ate soil (geophagia) and drank surface water. They also touched latrines, animals, animal feces and open drainage canals. Hand-to-mouth contact was one of the most common behaviors observed and the rate of contact significantly differed among developmental stages (infants: 18/h, toddlers: 11/h and young children: 9/h), providing evidence that children could ingest trace amounts of animal/human feces on hands that may contain GI pathogens. These findings demonstrate that water, sanitation and hygiene interventions could be more effective if they consider exposure risks to feces in public domains. Furthermore, this research highlights the need for waste-related interventions to address the broader set of civil conditions that create unsafe, toxic and contaminated public environments where young children play.

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Wastewater reuse for agriculture is common worldwide; wastewater treatment, however, is rare in many countries, leading to high potential for exposure to harmful pathogens. Mexico City, one of the largest producers of untreated wastewater for agricultural use worldwide, was the site of key epidemiologic studies conducted in the 1990s. We both reviewed the literature on and conducted a cross-sectional study of diarrheal risk and wastewater contamination to provide an updated assessment of health risks and to inform an upcoming update of the 2006 WHO guidelines on wastewater reuse. We surveyed communities in the Mezquital Valley that use wastewater for irrigation and communities that use well water to compare the prevalence of self-reported diarrheal disease in children under five years old. Wastewater, well water, household environmental samples, and stool samples were collected and analyzed. Communities exposed to wastewater had a higher one-week prevalence of diarrhea (10%) compared to unexposed communities (5%). This association remained in an adjusted modified Poisson regression model (PR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.00, 5.31), but not when limited to households engaged in agriculture. Water quality indicators document differences between irrigation water from the two community groups. These results are in agreement with 25 population studies identified by our review that were conducted since or not included in the 2006 WHO guidelines and show consistent negative impacts of wastewater exposure on health. While overall diarrheal prevalence has declined when compared to studies conducted over 25 years ago in the same region, the association of diarrheal disease and wastewater exposure has remained and possibly increased. With rising urbanization worldwide, attention to these risks and wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly important.

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La Escherichia coli diarreogénica (ECD) se ha clasificado con base en criterios clínicos, epidemiológicos y moleculares en cinco grupos, cada uno con factores de virulencia específicos. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de ECD en pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad diarreica aguda del Laboratorio Central de Salud Publica en el periodo 2012- 2015. Se procesaron muestras de heces con síndrome diarreico agudo, provenientes de pacientes pediátricos, en los cuales se buscó algún gen de virulencia ECD utilizando métodos convencionales de siembra y screening molecular, mediante PCR múltiple con cebadores diseñados específicamente para amplificar los genes de virulencia elt, est, eae, stx, ipaH y aggR. Del total de muestras analizadas, 13% (180/1379) de las muestras presentó algún factor de virulencia compatible con algún patotipo ECD con mayor predominio en niños de 1 a 3 años. La frecuencia de los distintos patotipos fue la siguiente: 61 (34%) ETEC, 40 (22%) EAEC, 41 (23%) EPEC, 27 (15%) EIEC, 7 (4%) STEC y 3 (2%) ETEC/EAEC, 1 (0.5%) ETEC/EAEC/EIEC. El porcentaje de E. coli diarreogénicas detectado tiene similitud con lo reportado en otros países de la región, lo que nos indica que estos patógenos son parte importante de la etiología de la enfermedad diarreica aguda infecciosa en la población infantil en nuestro país. Se debe destacar que para el diagnóstico de las diferentes categorías ECD, es necesario disponer de un procedimiento diagnóstico específico dirigido a la detección de los factores de virulencia utilizando métodos moleculares o métodos inmunológicos.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) has been classified based on clinical, epidemiological and molecular criteria in five groups, each with specific virulence factors. The objective was to determine the prevalence of DEC in pediatric patients with acute diarrheal disease of the Central Laboratory of Public Health in the 2012-2015 period. A total of 1447 fecal samples of acute diarrheal syndrome from pediatric patients were processed in which a DEC virulence gene was searched using conventional screening and molecular screening methods with multiple PCR primers specifically designed to amplify virulence genes, st, lt, eae, stx, ipaH and aggR. From the total of analyzed samples, 13% (180/1379) of the samples presented some virulence factor compatible with a DEC pathogen type with greater predominance in children from 1 to 3 years. The frequency of the different pathogen types was as follows: 61 (34%) ETEC, 40 (22%) EAEC, 41 (23%) EPEC, 27 (15%) EIEC, 7 (4%) STEC and 3 (2% ETEC/EAEC, 1 (0.5%) ETEC/EAEC/EIEC. The percentage of DEC detected is similar to that reported in other countries of the region, which indicates that these pathogens are an important part of the etiology of acute infectious diarrheal disease in children in our country. It should be noted that for the diagnosis of different DEC categories, it is necessary to have a specific diagnostic procedure aimed at the detection of virulence factors using molecular methods or immunodiagnostic methods.

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