Abstract：Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and incidence regularity of cases of food-borne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) infection in Beijing from 2015 to 2019, and to provide a scientific basis for development of corresponding prevention and control strategies and measures. Methods We collected stool or anal swab samples and epidemiological information of diarrhea patients in 36 active surveillance hospitals of food-borne diseases in Beijing from 2015 to 2019. Chi-square test was used to compare the rates or proportions. Results A total of 27,619 samples were collected, of which 2,485 were positive for DEC, with the detection rate of 9.00%. The detection rate of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was the highest (3.10%), followed by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) (3.02%). There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of DEC among different age groups (χ2=32.923, P<0.001). The detection rate of DEC was found to be the highest in the group aged 20-39 years (9.81%). The infection rate of ETEC in the group aged 40-59 years was higher than those in other age groups, and the detection rate of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was the highest in the group aged 0-5 years. Temporal distribution displayed that the third quarter was the peak period, and the difference in the detection rate of DEC among different quarters was statistically significant (χ2=606.032,P<0.001). Spatial distribution revealed that the detection rate of DEC in exurbs was found to be the highest, with statistically significant differences among urban areas, suburbs and exurbs (χ2=28.034, P<0.001). ETEC detected was mainly distributed in urban areas and suburbs, whereas EAEC detected was mainly distributed in exurbs. Conclusion The detection rate of food-borne DEC in Beijing from 2015 to 2019 showed an upward trend year by year. Prevention and control work should be actively carried out among key groups in summer and autumn with high incidence.
2022, Vol. 29 
