Abstract
A year-long study was performed to identify potential sources of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) within the homes of children with diarrhoea in Bangkok. ETEC was identified in 8% (10/130) of the inhabitants of 42 homes of children with ETEC diarrhoea and 6% (8/137) of their neighbours, but in only 2% (49/3077) of individuals living in 866 homes not associated with the children with ETEC diarrhoea. While 46% (13/28) of the children under two years of age infected with ETEC were identified on home visits as having had a recent history of diarrhoea, only 13% (5/39) of persons over two years of age presented such a history. ETEC was isolated from 14% of mothers' hands, 13% of children's hands, and 7% of jars containing bathing water that was used for washing the children after defecation. Drinking-water was identified as a probable source of infection in one out of 42 cases. Further studies are needed to determine whether ETEC from water stored in the home can spread and cause secondary infections.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 207-215 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Bulletin of the World Health Organization |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - Aug 18 1987 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health