Epidemiology of infectious diarrhoea and the relationship with etiological and meteorological factors in Jiangsu Province, China

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 20;9(1):19571. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56207-2.

Abstract

We depicted the epidemiological characteristics of infectious diarrhoea in Jiangsu Province, China. Generalized additive models were employed to evaluate the age-specific effects of etiological and meteorological factors on prevalence. A long-term increasing prevalence with strong seasonality was observed. In those aged 0-5 years, disease risk increased rapidly with the positive rate of virus (rotavirus, norovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus) in the 20-50% range. In those aged > 20 years, disease risk increased with the positive rate of adenovirus and bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni) until reaching 5%, and thereafter stayed stable. The mean temperature, relative humidity, temperature range, and rainfall were all related to two-month lag morbidity in the group aged 0-5 years. Disease risk increased with relative humidity between 67-78%. Synchronous climate affected the incidence in those aged >20 years. Mean temperature and rainfall showed U-shape associations with disease risk (with threshold 15 °C and 100 mm per month, respectively). Meanwhile, disease risk increased gradually with sunshine duration over 150 hours per month. However, no associations were found in the group aged 6-19 years. In brief, etiological and meteorological factors had age-specific effects on the prevalence of infectious diarrhoea in Jiangsu. Surveillance efforts are needed to prevent its spread.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Campylobacter jejuni / pathogenicity
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology*
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Salmonella / pathogenicity
  • Temperature
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus / pathogenicity
  • Young Adult