Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Diarrheal disease during Operation Desert Shield.

K C Hyams1, A L Bourgeois, B R Merrell

  • 1Epidemiology Division, U.S. Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Md.

The New England Journal of Medicine
|November 14, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Diarrheal disease caused by drug-resistant bacteria like E. coli and Shigella significantly impacted U.S. troops during Operation Desert Shield, leading to widespread illness and duty impairment.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Enhancing social functioning using multi-user, immersive virtual reality.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Advantages and limitations of virtual multi-disciplinary team meetings on difficult-to-treat mycobacteria.

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·2024
Same author

Predicting time to asystole following withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment: a systematic review.

Anaesthesia·2024
Same author

The archaeological potential of the northern Luangwa Valley, Zambia: The Luwumbu basin.

PloS one·2023
Same author

Worsening of psychotic experiences in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schizophrenia research·2022
Same author

Evidence of safety for pretomanid and male reproductive health.

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·2022

Area of Science:

  • Military Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to military forces in combat zones.
  • Operation Desert Shield experienced numerous outbreaks of diarrhea among U.S. forces.
  • This study evaluated causes and risk factors for diarrheal disease in U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the causative agents of diarrheal disease in U.S. military personnel.
  • To assess the antibiotic resistance patterns of identified pathogens.
  • To determine the impact of diarrheal illness on troop readiness.

Main Methods:

  • Collected stool cultures from 432 military personnel with gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Administered questionnaires to 2022 soldiers regarding diarrheal disease and its effects.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed clinical and epidemiological data to identify risk factors and pathogens.

    • Main Results:

    • Bacterial enteric pathogens were identified in 49.5% of troops with gastroenteritis.
    • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei were the most common pathogens.
    • High rates of antibiotic resistance were observed, with all isolates sensitive to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin.
    • 57% of troops reported at least one episode of diarrhea, and 20% were temporarily unable to perform duties.

    Conclusions:

    • Gastroenteritis due to drug-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli and Shigella was a major issue.
    • Diarrheal illness frequently interfered with the operational duties of U.S. troops.
    • Antibiotic resistance patterns highlight the need for effective treatment strategies in deployed forces.