ETIOLOGY OF GASTROENTERITIS AMONG AMERICANS LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Between December 1975 and June 1976, American military personnel with diarrhea who were seen at an outpatient clinic at Clark Air Force Base Hospital were investigated to determine the etiology of their disease. Enterotoxigenic Escherichla coil were detected In 16% (18/115), rotavirus in 4% (4/111), salmonellae In 3% (3/115), shigellae in 2% (2/115) and Glardia lamblia In 2% (3/152) of patients with diarrhea. Thus from only 27% of the subjects studied were Identifiable potential pathogenic agents found. The incidence of gastroenteritis Increased in May and June with the increase in rainfall; however, there was no increase in the proportion of diarrhea caused by any of these identifiable enteric pathogens. Americans experienced a seasonal increase of diarrhea similar to that affecting the Philippine population In Manila. Enterotoxigenic E. coil was the most common identifiable enteric pathogen among Americans with diarrhea at Clark Air Force Base In the Philippines during this study, though even in these cases, It may not have been the agent responsible for their illness. © 1979 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.