Case-control study of the etiology of infant diarrheal disease in 14 districts in Madagascar.

Background: Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its microbiological causes and clinico-epidemiological aspects were examined during the rainy seasons from 2008 to 2009 in 14 districts in Madagascar.

Methods: Stool specimens of 2196 children with acute diarrhea and 496 healthy children were collected in a community setting.