小児の感染性胃腸炎における季節性の検討

Abstract

Seasonal analyses were conducted in children with pathogen proven infectious gastroenteritis. Between 1998 and 2002, 214 patients were enrolled in this study. Causative agents include rotavirus (n=141), Norwalk virus (n=23), enteric adenovirus (n=6), Salmonella spp. (n=27), Campylobacter jejuni (n=16) and enterohemor- rhagic Escherichia coli (n=1). Of the viral agents, outbreaks of gastroenteritis due to rotavirus occurred most often during late winter and early spring, with a peak in March-April, whereas Norwalk virus infections were prevalent in early winter, attaining the largest number in November- December. Enteric adenovirus (serotype40/41) infections occurred throughout the year. Of the bacterial agents, nontyphoidal Salmonellosis was prevalent in the summer with a peak in August-September, whereas C. jejuni infections were found throughout the year. Seasonal distribution shows a characteristic pattern in each causative agent not only in viral gastroenteritis but also in bacterial enterocolitis; so that seasonal analyses are useful for empiric therapy in children with infectious gastroenteritis.