Diagnostic value of bacterial stool cultures and v

Authors: LJ Liu YJ Yang PH Kuo SM Wang CC Liu

Publish Date: 2005/08/11

Volume: 24, Issue: 8, Pages: 559-561

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Abstract

The study presented here aimed to elucidate the diagnostic value of bacterial stool cultures and viral antigen tests when performed based on the clinical characteristics of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children A total of 21 112 bacterial and 74 396 viral infections affecting 187 children under the age of 3 years was investigated Blood p0001 and mucus p=0014 in the stool and a Creactive protein CRP level of ≥50 mg/l p=0006 were more significantly associated with gastroenteritis of bacterial rather than viral origin Vomiting p0001 was significantly associated with viral gastroenteritis Among children with bloody stool culture grew a Salmonella spp in 35 and for vomiting children stool antigen tests detected rotavirus in 60 of cases In conclusion etiologic tests to determine the cause of childhood gastroenteritis according to their characteristic clinical features or laboratory test results or both are of low diagnostic value

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