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Infectious diarrhea: Cellular and molecular mechanisms

Kim Hodges1, Ravinder Gill

  • 1Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago; Digestive Disease and Nutrition; Chicago, IL USA.

Gut Microbes
|February 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Infectious diarrhea, a global health issue, arises from bacteria, viruses, and parasites disrupting gut function. Understanding these pathogens

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Diarrhea is a significant global health concern, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants.
  • An estimated 2-4 billion cases of infectious diarrhea occur annually worldwide.
  • Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious diarrhea is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diarrhea caused by major classes of infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
  • To highlight recent advances in understanding how pathogens alter epithelial ion absorption and barrier function.
  • To discuss the roles of virulence factors, inflammation, and neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of infectious diarrhea.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on infectious diarrhea mechanisms.
  • Focus on model pathogens including Vibrio cholerae, Clostridium difficile, pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica.
  • Analysis of studies investigating alterations in epithelial ion transport and tight junctions.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial pathogens like Vibrio cholerae cause secretory diarrhea, while Clostridium difficile and Shigella species induce inflammatory diarrhea.
  • Pathogenic E. coli strains alter epithelial ion absorption.
  • Viral and parasitic infections significantly impact epithelial ion transport and barrier function; parasites can produce host-like molecules (e.g., serotonin, PGE2).

Conclusions:

  • Infectious diarrhea pathogenesis involves complex interactions between pathogens and host cellular/molecular processes.
  • Alterations in ion transport, tight junctions, and host-derived signaling molecules are key mechanisms.
  • Further research into these mechanisms is essential for targeted therapeutic strategies against infectious diarrhea.

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