[Causes of adult acute bacterial diarrhea in an internal medicine department in Libreville, Gabon].

This retrospective study of patients treated between 1992 and 1996 was undertaken as a preliminary step to identifying the main bacterial causes of diarrheal disease in Libreville, Gabon. A total 371 files showing positive stool cultures were analyzed. From an epidemiological standpoint, data showed that the high risk population was young people of both sexes. The incidence of diarrhea was correlated with climatic conditions with an endemic-epidemic pattern characterized by peak activity during the rainy season. In the vast majority of cases, the underlying etiology was gastroenteritis due to invasive organisms. The most commonly identified agents were salmonellae (46.6%) and Shigellae (44.2%). Treatment should focus on rehydration. Fluoro-quinolones were the most commonly indicated drugs for antimicrobial treatment but cotrimoxazole was often useful. In general, the prognosis of bacterial diarrhea is favorable provided that it is treated early and concurrent conditions are taken into account.