Dot plot illustrating the amount (ng/ml) of ECP in genital lavage (a) and in urine (b) and of EPX in genital lavage (c)) and urine (d) classified by pathology category 1–5 (see table 1).

<p>The plus and minus following “NoFGS” in group 4 and 5 refer to the <i>S. haematobium</i> egg status. The median is indicated with a horizontal bar and interquartile ranges shown. Only significant p values are shown on the graphs. For ECP in urine two extreme outlies were excluded (b). Note that the ordinate axis is on logarithmic scale.</p

FGS diagnostic categories used for data analysis.

<p><b>√</b>: At least one manifestation of the pathology type in question.</p><p><b>?</b>: The pathology can be present.</p><p><b>-</b> : No manifestations of the given type.</p><p>Below the category number in brackets are the terms used in the text and on <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002974#pntd-0002974-g001" target="_blank">figure 1</a> for each grouping.</p

Case-Control Study of the Etiology of Infant Diarrheal Disease in 14 Districts in Madagascar

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its microbiological causes and clinico-epidemiological aspects were examined during the rainy seasons from 2008 to 2009 in 14 districts in Madagascar.</p> <h3>Methods</h3><p>Stool specimens of 2196 children with acute diarrhea and 496 healthy children were collected in a community setting. Intestinal parasites were diagnosed by microscopy and bacteria by culturing methods. Rota-, astro and adenoviruses were identified using commercially available ELISA kits and rotaviruses were confirmed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>Intestinal microorganisms were isolated from 54.6% of diarrheal patients and 45.9% of healthy subjects (p = <0.01). The most common pathogens in diarrheic patients were intestinal parasites (36.5%). Campylobacter spp. and Rotavirus were detected in 9.7% and 6.7% of diarrheic patients. The detection rates of <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em>, <em>Trichomonas intestinalis</em> and <em>Giardia lamblia</em> were much greater in diarrheal patients than in non diarrheal subjects (odds ratios of 5.1, 3.2, 1.7 respectively). The abundance of other enteropathogens among the non diarrheal group may indicate prolonged excretion or limited pathogenicity.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In developing countries, where the lack of laboratory capacities is great, cross sectional studies of enteropathogens and their spatial distribution, including diarrheal and non diarrheal subjects, are interesting tools in order to advise regional policies on treatment and diarrheic patient management.</p> </div

Clinical symptoms associated with the enteric pathogens isolated from diarrheic children in Madagascar 2008–2009.

<p>Clinical symptoms associated with the enteric pathogens isolated from diarrheic children in Madagascar 2008–2009.</p

Enteric pathogens isolated from diarrheal and non diarrheal stools.

*<p>Random effect mutivariate analysis controled for study sites.</p

Location of study sites in Madagascar.

<p>Location of study sites in Madagascar.</p