[Epidemiology of bacterial dysentery diagnosed clinically in Beijing: analysis of 652 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of acute bacterial dysentery in recent years in Beijing so as to provide scientific reference for prevention and control of enteric infectious diseases. METHODS: The data of age, occupation, symptoms, signs, pathogen detection of 652 patients with acute bacterial dysentery diagnosed clinically from April 2007 to October 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The occupations of the 652 patients included office workers and functionaries (31.4%), students (29.4%), retirees (9.8%), unemployed and housewives (7.1%), commercial attendants (6.3), workers (4.8%), teachers (4.1%), and others (7.1%). Diarrhea, stomach ache, and fever were the main symptoms. Tenesmus and tenderness of left lower quadrant abdomen were infrequent. The positive rate of fecal bacterial culture was 17.7%. 8.9% of the patients were diagnosed as with bacterial dysentery by fecal bacterial culture. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients with bacterial dysentery in Beijing are young adults. The positive rate of fecal bacterial culture is low. It is difficult to differentiate bacterial dysentery from other diarrheal diseases.