The Prevalence and Characteristics of Bacteria Causing Acute Diarrhea in Korea, 2012 / 대한임상미생물학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Through change in the climate and living environment, bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhea also change. This study sought to determine the characteristics of pathogens according to species, isolated region, and patient age/sex using National Surveillance Data for diarrhea, and to provide basic data for the prevention of diarrheal disease. METHODS: From January to December 2012, stool specimens were collected from 21,180 diarrheal patients in Korea to identify the pathogenic bacteria involved. Pathogenic bacteria were analyzed according to isolated region and patient age/sex. Identification and analysis of the pathogens were conducted based on the Guidelines of the National Institute of Health Diagnostic Laboratory Disease-specific protocol (2005). RESULTS: Among the 21,180 stool specimens, pathogenic bacteria known to cause diarrhea were isolated from 2,444 stool specimens (11.5%). The isolation rate was highest in the summer (from June to September) for most pathogenic bacteria, except Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens. The isolation rate of pathogenic bacteria based on patient age was highest in children under the age of 10. CONCLUSION: Hygiene education should be addressed in diarrheal disease-susceptible groups, such as children under 10, people in their 50s, and those greater than 70 years old, and ongoing monitoring for pathogens is needed. In addition, an efficient information system and surveillance program should be continued for infection prevention.