Summary

Microbiological findings in 276 children under 6 years of age from two isolated communities in Puerto Rico are presented. Enteropathogenic bacteria, namely, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Shigella and coagulase-positive staphylococci, were recovered from 31% and 19% of the cases studied at Manzanilla and Cialitos, respectively. Viral agents were recovered from 2.1% of the Cialitos children. A serologic response against cytopathogenic agents was obtained in three-fourths of these cases. Serum survey studies showed previous exposure to certain enteroviruses.

Helminthic and protozoan infection rates were high in both communities. However, most infections were mild. The helminth egg-loads were below those obtained in acute and chronic diarrheas.

The high rate of infection found among nondiarrheic children indicates the importance of existing foci of infection within a population from which infectious agents may be transmitted to susceptibles.