The principles of the diagnosis of acute intestinal infections caused by opportunistic bacteria in children

: To specify criteria for the diagnosis of acute intestinal infections induced by opportunistic bacteria, the clinico-laboratory findings were compared in 3 groups of children: with acute intestinal infections induced by opportunistic bacteria (194 children); with shigellosis, salmonellosis and escherichiosis (260 children); with rotavirus gastroenteritis (133 children). It has been demonstrated that in the diagnosis of acute intestinal infections induced by opportunistic bacteria, one should be very careful in excluding the etiological role of pathogenic bacteria and viruses not only clinically but also with the aid of laboratory virological, bacteriological and serological methods; in considering changes in the quantitative content of the intestinal microflora to be seen over time. It is also necessary that the age and the premorbid condition of the patients examined may be taken into account.