Incidence and risk factors for community-acquired acute gastroenteritis in north-west Germany in 2004

• Published in: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases Vol. 28; no. 8; pp. 935 - 943
• Main Authors: Karsten, C, Baumgarte, S, Friedrich, A. W, von Eiff, C, Becker, K, Wosniok, W, Ammon, A, Bockemühl, J, Karch, H, Huppertz, H.-I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01-08-2009; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asymptomatic; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Child; Child, Preschool; Community-Acquired Infections - epidemiology; Community-Acquired Infections - etiology; Developed countries; Diarrhea; Epidemics; Family physicians; Feces - microbiology; Feces - virology; Female; Gastroenteritis; Gastroenteritis - epidemiology; Gastroenteritis - etiology; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Incidence; Industrialized nations; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infectious diseases; Internal Medicine; Male; Medical Microbiology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pathogens; Pediatrics; Population studies; Population-based studies; Public health; Risk Factors; Salmonella; Surveillance; Viruses - classification; Viruses - isolation & purification; Young Adult; Europe; Germany; West Germany; United Kingdom > UK; England; Enteropathogenic Bacterium; Stool Specimen; Bacterial Pathogen; Stool Sample; Infectious Intestinal Disease; Community acquired infection; Microbiology; Acute; Gastroenteritis; Risk factor; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Epidemiology; Gastric disease; Incidence
• ISSN: 0934-9723; 1435-4373
• DOI: 10.1007/s10096-009-0729-1

In developed countries, acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major source of morbidity. However, only a few studies have estimated its incidence and the associated medical burden. This population-based study determined the incidence of community-acquired AGE patients seeking medical care and the relative role of various pathogens. Stool samples from patients with AGE presenting to a general practitioner (GP), pediatrician, or specialist in internal medicine for that reason were screened for various bacterial and viral enteropathogens. A control group was established as well. Incidences were calculated by the number of positive patients divided by the general population. The study was performed in north-west Germany in 2004. The incidence of AGE patients requiring medical consultation was 4,020/100,000 inhabitants. Children (<5 years of age) were at the highest risk (13,810/100,000 inhabitants). Of the patients, 6.6% were tested positive for an enteropathogenic bacteria and 17.7% for a viral agent. The predominant pathogens were norovirus (626/100,000) and rotavirus (270/100,000). Salmonella was the most frequently detected bacteria (162/100,000). The results presented confirm AGE and, specifically, AGE of viral origin as a major public health burden in developed countries.