Background and objective: Infectious intestinal diseases are highly prevalent, and among them sporadic cases are the most common processes. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of sporadic cases diagnosed in a healthcare district of Castellón (Spain) in the year 2004, and to compare them with those of the year 2000.
Material and method: Based on routine coprocultures and individual demographic data of each patient, we calculated the population rates by age for the more frequent microorganisms, especially detailed for children up to 5 years of age. We report the results of the year 2004, and compare these with the previous study of the year 2000.
Results: Campylobacter showed the highest rate (1.01 x 103), followed by Salmonella (0.75), each without significant differences regarding the year 2000. The rate of rotavirus cases (0.65) was smaller than in 2000; and for adenovirus 2004 was an atypical seasonal year. In children younger than 3 years, rates were 26.54; 10.23 and 11.75. As in the previous study, the age-distribution in children < 5 years was very particular. An U inverted shape was seen for Campylobacer, and the rates for rotavirus decreased after the peak observed in the youngest group (< 6 months). Among hospitalized patients rotavirus was the most common and Campylobacter the less common.
Conclusions: The epidemiological traits of the rates by age until the age of five are characteristic for each microorganism, as are the proportions of hospitalization. Rates of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the year 2004 were similar to the year 2000, but a decrease in the rotavirus rates was observed.