An Epidemiologic Study of Diarrhea in an Alien Student Population in Cairo, Egypt

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Abstract
A study on etiology of major diarrheas was conducted in an alien student population in Cairo, Egypt, between October, 1957, and April, 1959. A total of 429 fecal specimens was examined, of which 54 were collected during a bout of diarrhea and the remainder at various times when students were free of diarrhea. Shigella organisms were the only pathogenic bacteria which could be clearly correlated with the occurrence of diarrhea. Other possible bacterial pathogens and parasites were found as frequently in nondiarrheal stools as in diarrheal stools. The recovery of various serologically distinct Enteroviruses could not be consistently correlated with the occurrence of diarrhea. Serial observations among siblings suggested carrier states or continuing ingestion of viral agents. No isolations of polio virus or Salmonella organisms were made in spite of local endemicity.