Enteriti acute e protratte nell’uomo: prevalenze eziologiche ed aspetti di metodologia diagnostica

The Authors describe methodological diagnostic course related to microbiological examination of faeces specimens. During 2004, 511 samples of 247 children and 264 adults were analysed for acute (389 subjects) or prolonged diarrhoeas (122). Campylobacter was observed in 57 cases (11.0%), in 36 children (14.2%) and 21 adults (8.0%); Salmonella was observed in 28 cases (5.4%), in 15 children (6.1%) and 13 adults (4.9%); toxin A of C. difficile was detected in 11 cases (2.2%); other bacterial pathogens were very rare. Rotavirus was detected in 31 children (12.5%) while Adenovirus in 3 children (1.2%). Protozoa were identified in 13 cases (2.5%): 3 in children (1.2 %) and 10 in adults (3.7%); among these, D. fragilis prevailed in respect of G. duodenalis: 10 cases (2.0%) vs 3 cases (0.6%); other protozoa never were observed. So, the positivities were only 151 for 29.5% (91 in children, 36.8% and 60 in adults, 22.7%). Finally some considerations relating sex, clinical features and epidemiological findings are reported.The Authors reaffirm the need for a rational and functional research, because is necessary to minimize and direct these ones towards local epidemiology, but underline the opportunity to increase the investigations when diversified risk factor are reported.