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Travelers' diarrhea: modern concepts and new developments
Andrew W DuPont1, Herbert L DuPont
1University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0764, USA. awdupont@utmb.edu
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology
|January 21, 2006
Summary
Travelers' diarrhea, often caused by bacteria, can be prevented and treated with antibiotics like rifaximin. Early treatment can also reduce the risk of developing post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Travelers' diarrhea is a common illness affecting individuals traveling from industrialized to developing countries with lower hygiene standards.
- Bacterial enteropathogens transmitted through food are the primary cause of this condition.
- Dietary restrictions are often insufficient to prevent illness, and episodes cause significant disability and may lead to post-diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence and impact of travelers' diarrhea.
- To discuss the role of antibiotics, specifically rifaximin, in preventing and treating travelers' diarrhea and post-infectious IBS.
- To emphasize the need for improved hygiene in developing countries.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on travelers' diarrhea, its causes, and management.
- Discussion of the pharmacological properties of rifaximin and its potential use in prophylaxis and treatment.
- Analysis of the link between infectious diarrhea and the development of IBS.
Main Results:
- Travelers' diarrhea leads to approximately 24 hours of disability per episode.
- Post-diarrhea IBS occurs in up to 10% of affected individuals.
- Rifaximin, a poorly absorbed antibiotic, shows promise for preventing diarrhea and post-infectious IBS.
Conclusions:
- Antibacterial drugs, including rifaximin, fluoroquinolones, and azithromycin, should be carried by travelers for self-treatment.
- Rifaximin is a likely candidate for widespread use in preventing travelers' diarrhea and subsequent IBS.
- Improvements in global hygiene standards are crucial for reducing the incidence of this travel-related illness.
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