Freeman J T, Anderson D J, Sexton D J
Division of Infectious diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, NC, USA.
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2009 Oct;15(10):951-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02866.x.
Escherichia coli is a common cause of infections in all populations and countries of the world, causing an enormous burden of disease. In this issue of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Al-Hasan et al. describe seasonal peaks in the incidence of E. coli bloodstream infection (BSI) during the summer for a population of 125 000 in Minnesota, USA. We discuss the probability that similar seasonal peaks in the incidence of E. coli BSI occur in other populations and geographical regions. Second, we discuss possible underlying explanations for these findings in terms of seasonal changes in human behaviour and the effect of temperature on the ability of E. coli to survive in the environment. Finally, we discuss some of the possible implications of E. coli BSI being a seasonal illness. More specifically, we discuss how better understanding the reasons for seasonality may potentially help us to better understand the dominant routes by which human populations are exposed to clonal groups of E. coli associated with urinary tract infection.
大肠杆菌是世界上所有人群和国家感染的常见病因，造成了巨大的疾病负担。在本期《临床微生物学与感染》中，Al-Hasan等人描述了美国明尼苏达州12.5万人中大肠杆菌血流感染（BSI）发病率在夏季出现季节性高峰的情况。我们讨论了在其他人群和地理区域中大肠杆菌BSI发病率出现类似季节性高峰的可能性。其次，我们从人类行为的季节性变化以及温度对大肠杆菌在环境中生存能力的影响方面，讨论这些发现可能的潜在解释。最后，我们讨论了大肠杆菌BSI作为一种季节性疾病的一些可能影响。更具体地说，我们讨论了更好地理解季节性原因如何可能有助于我们更好地理解人群接触与尿路感染相关的大肠杆菌克隆群的主要途径。
