Abstract

From 1987 to 1991 a pilot study was carried out in sentinels in Amsterdam and Helmond to determine the feasibility of a study on the incidence of acute gastro-intestinal complaints and (the causing) micro-organisms in general practice. Therefore questionnaires were filled in by patients consulting their G.P. and meeting the case definition ; faeses samples were examined according to standard laboratory procedures. The incidence of gastro-intestinal infections was 15/1000 in Amsterdam as well as in Helmond. Examination of faecal samples gave positive results for Campylobacter in 14%, for Salmonella in 5% and for Shigella in 2%. In 1990 the faecal samples were tested on a more extensive spectrum of micro-organisms than in the other years. Based on these data the percentage of positive faecal samples is estimated on 42%. This percentage should be interpreted with caution. An active and continuous surveillance of acute gastro-enteritis is feasible and provides relevant epidemiological information.