Molecular Epidemiology of Colonization in Families With Infants.

Background: Community-associated infection is a major public health hazard to adults and older children. Infants frequently excrete toxigenic asymptomatically in their stool, but their importance as a community reservoir of is uncertain.

Methods: Families of healthy infants were recruited at the baby's 4-month well child visit and were followed longitudinally until the baby was approximately 9 months old.