Epidemiology of enteric pathogens found in stool symptomatic patients selected in a northern Bari region population between 2000 and 2009

Enteritis occur primarily in children and elderly. In order to analyse the frequency of single specific causative agents of enteritis, 5072 stool cultures have been evaluated at the Andria Hospital laboratory from 2000 to 2009. Cultures for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter were performed, and, on samples from children under 6 years old, testing for presence of Adenovirus and Rotavirus was carried out. After inoculation on specific media, bacterial identification was performed via the VITEK system (bioMérieux), supplemented by serological identification for Salmonella and Shigella.Virus detection was performed by DIARLEX Dasit system. During the study period, 716 (14.1%) samples were found positive for the presence of pathogen microorganisms. In the trimesters from February to May and November to January viral etiology was prevalent, whereas the bacterial one prevailed from June to October. In addition, during 2009, an increase of Campylobacter isolates was observed, with consequent reduction of Salmonella isolates.