[Adenoviruses from stool samples in hospital units. Comparison with main pathogens in gastroenteritis (rotavirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella)].

During a six-years period (1988-1993), a total of 14,644 stool samples from in-patients of Limoges University Hospital were examined for the presence of principal enteric pathogens, such as adenovirus, rotavirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and others. Stools were processed for identification of bacteria by standard methods and viruses were detected in fecal specimens using antigen detection methods: ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and latex agglutination test. The decreasing rates of presence of enteric agents were respectively 6% for rotavirus, 3.2% for Salmonella, 2% for adenovirus, 1.6% for Campylobacter and 0.2% for Shigella, but according to the lack of sensibility of latex agglutination test, adenovirus prevalence was probably underestimated. Concerning the distribution of enteric pathogens throughout the year, our data demonstrate that rotavirus were rather shed during the months from January to April, adenovirus between April and August, Campylobacter during summer and Salmonella from July to October. The two thirds of Campylobacter and rotavirus infections and the half of adenovirus and Salmonella infections were identified during the ten first years of life. The highest prevalence occurs before 5 years old, during the 2nd year of life for adenovirus (4.4%) and rotavirus (22.3%) and during the 3rd year of life for Campylobacter (6.84%) and Salmonella (8.6%).