ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of rotavirus infection in children aged less than 14 years old and the epidemiology in area 02 of the province of Castellón (Spain). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study from January 1995 to December 2004 in which 14,068 stool samples from pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis were analyzed. The variables analyzed were sex, age, origin, diagnosis of rotavirus, and date of diagnosis. Differences were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 11.9% of the samples (1687 cases) in the 10 years of the study, 12.14 % corresponded to boys and 11.81% to girls (p=0.5459). The mean age of the population was 2.63 years. The highest percentage of cases occurred in the group aged 1- 4 years old (14.1%; p<0.001) and in outpatients (12.76%; p<0.05). In this geographical region, there was a significant tendency (p<0.001) for rotavirus to occur in the winter months. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus is one of the main causes of morbidity in children both in the hospital and the outpatient setting. Children aged less than 4 years old are most frequently affected, especially those aged 1 year. The infection appears mainly in winter.
Subject(s)
Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Infectious intestinal diseases are highly prevalent, and among them sporadic cases are the most common processes. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of sporadic cases diagnosed in a healthcare district of Castellón (Spain) in the year 2004, and to compare them with those of the year 2000. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Based on routine coprocultures and individual demographic data of each patient, we calculated the population rates by age for the more frequent microorganisms, especially detailed for children up to 5 years of age. We report the results of the year 2004, and compare these with the previous study of the year 2000. RESULTS: Campylobacter showed the highest rate (1.01 x 103), followed by Salmonella (0.75), each without significant differences regarding the year 2000. The rate of rotavirus cases (0.65) was smaller than in 2000; and for adenovirus 2004 was an atypical seasonal year. In children younger than 3 years, rates were 26.54; 10.23 and 11.75. As in the previous study, the age-distribution in children < 5 years was very particular. An U inverted shape was seen for Campylobacer, and the rates for rotavirus decreased after the peak observed in the youngest group (< 6 months). Among hospitalized patients rotavirus was the most common and Campylobacter the less common. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological traits of the rates by age until the age of five are characteristic for each microorganism, as are the proportions of hospitalization. Rates of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the year 2004 were similar to the year 2000, but a decrease in the rotavirus rates was observed.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/epidemiology , Gastroenteritis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Diarrhea/microbiology , Female , Gastroenteritis/microbiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Fundamento y objetivo: Las infecciones intestinales son procesos muy frecuentes y la mayor parte de ellas son casos esporádicos. Se pretende estimar su incidencia poblacional en un área de Castellón durante el año 2004 y compararla con la del año 2000. Material y método: A partir de los coprocultivos habituales se calcularon las tasas por edades para los microorganismos más frecuentes, prestando especial atención a los niños menores de 5 años de edad. Se presentan los resultados de 2004 y su comparación con el año 2000. Resultados: Campylobacter presentó las tasas globales más altas (1,01 103), seguido de Salmonella (0,75), sin diferencias significativas con el año 2000. Rotavirus, con una tasa de 0,65, disminuyó respecto a 2000 y adenovirus presentó un año atípico. En menores de 3 años las tasas fueron, respectivamente, de 26,54, 10,23 y 11,75. La distribución por edades en menores de 5 años fue muy diferente en cada microorganismo, con forma de U invertida para Campylobacter y perfil decreciente continuo desde el máximo en menores de 6 meses de edad para rotavirus. En hospitalizados destacan las elevadas tasas de Rotavirus, ya desde los menores de 6 meses de edad, y los escasos ingresos por campilobacteriosis. Conclusiones: Los rasgos epidemiológicos que reflejan las distribuciones por edad desde los menores de 6 meses hasta los niños de 5 años son peculiares para cada germen, como lo son las proporciones de hospitalización. Las tasas de Campylobacter y Salmonella fueron estables, pero rotavirus experimentó una disminución de incidencia
Background and objective: Infectious intestinal diseases are highly prevalent, and among them sporadic cases are the most common processes. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of sporadic cases diagnosed in a healthcare district of Castellón (Spain) in the year 2004, and to compare them with those of the year 2000. Material and method: Based on routine coprocultures and individual demographic data of each patient, we calculated the population rates by age for the more frequent microorganisms, especially detailed for children up to 5 years of age. We report the results of the year 2004, and compare these with the previous study of the year 2000. Results: Campylobacter showed the highest rate (1.01 103), followed by Salmonella (0.75), each without significant differences regarding the year 2000. The rate of rotavirus cases (0.65) was smaller than in 2000; and for adenovirus 2004 was an atypical seasonal year. In children younger than 3 years, rates were 26.54; 10.23 and 11.75. As in the previous study, the age-distribution in children < 5 years was very particular. An U inverted shape was seen for Campylobacer, and the rates for rotavirus decreased after the peak observed in the youngest group (< 6 months). Among hospitalized patients rotavirus was the most common and Campylobacter the less common. Conclusions: The epidemiological traits of the rates by age until the age of five are characteristic for each microorganism, as are the proportions of hospitalization. Rates of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the year 2004 were similar to the year 2000, but a decrease in the rotavirus rates was observed
