Enteric pathogens associated with acute diarrhea

الملخص EN

Objectives : In order to identify the pathogens causing acute diarrhea amongst adults in an area of southern Jordan, medical and laboratory records for a three-year period were examined.

Four pathogens were identified: Salmonella spp; Shigella spp; Entameba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia trophozoites, some infections being mixed.

Over the three-year period 1994-1996 positive results were obtained in 46.2% of patients.

The reasons for this high rate, variations in individual years and the importance of preventive measures are discussed.