Etiology of Diarrhea Among Travelers and Foreign Residents in Nepal

David N. Taylor, Robin Houston, David R. Shlim, Manoon Bhaibulaya, Beth L.P. Ungar, Peter Echeverria

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

A bacterial pathogen was isolated from 47% of 328 expatriate patients with diarrhea seen at two medical clinics in Nepal in 1986. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (24%), Shigella (14%), and Campylobacter species (9%) were isolated most frequently. Enteroinvasive and adherence factor-positive E coli were isolated from 2% and 1% of patients, respectively. Giardia lamblia was detected in 12% of patients, rotavirus in 8%, and Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba histolytica each in 5%. Blastocystis hominis was present in 33% of patients but in only 9% of those who took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. More than one enteropathogen was detected in 17% of patients. Patients with prolonged symptoms (longer than two weeks) were more likely to have Giardia (27%) and less likely to have Shigella (5%) than were patients with acute symptoms. The isolation rates of bacterial pathogens decreased with length of stay in Nepal. A wide variety of enteropathogens were detected in travelers to Nepal, and Shigella and protozoa were particularly important. Length of time abroad and duration of symptoms were important diagnostic considerations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1245-1248
Number of pages4
JournalJAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Volume260
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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