Etiology of Diarrhea in Guinea-Bissau and in Finland
Etiology of Diarrhea in Guinea-Bissau and in Finland
Diarrhoea is the leading cause of death in the world with 2.2 million deaths every year. The
 majority of deaths are among children in developing countries, but the travellers encounter
 the disease as well. The studies on the aetiology have suffered from serious methodological
 deficiencies and the results are even controversial. At the same time, the current diagnostic
 methods are inadequate. The investigators have recently developed novel multiplex RT-PCR
 methods to cover the majority of diarrhoeal pathogens. The present study is a collaboration
 between Finland and Sweden/Guinea-Bissau. The aim is to characterize the causative agents of
 diarrhoea (a) in Finnish volunteers before and after a travel to tropical areas and, (b) in
 inhabitants of endemic areas in Guinea-Bissau. For these purposes stool samples will be
 collected from volunteers of different age groups and from healthy volunteers as well as
 those with diarrhea both in Guinea-Bissau and in Finland. In addition to pathogens, other
 intestinal microbes and antimicrobial resistance will be investigated
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Accepting to participate and willing to deliver 2 stool samples.

 2. With diarrhea: the first 10 children and 10 adults presenting each month at the health
 facility Without diarrhea: In Bissau matched controls drawn from the registration
 system at Bandim Health Project. In Finland controls selected at the health facilities
 participating.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Not willing or able to deliver the stool samples