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Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Ulcerative colitis presenting as acute infectious gastroenteritis with a paralytic ileus
Suzanne Gerdien Schoenmaker1, Walther E Tjon a Ten
1Pediatrics Department, Juliana Childrens' Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands.
BMJ Case Reports
|May 19, 2012
Summary
Infection may trigger ulcerative colitis (UC) in adolescents. This case suggests a link between gastroenteritis and UC development, potentially involving nitric oxide in paralytic ileus.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- The etiology of UC is multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental factors.
- Infectious triggers are hypothesized but not definitively established in UC pathogenesis.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old female presented with symptoms of acute infectious gastroenteritis.
- Two family members also experienced similar gastrointestinal symptoms.
- The patient's condition did not improve with initial treatment.
Findings:
- Sigmoidoscopy revealed findings consistent with ulcerative colitis (UC).
- The study hypothesizes that an initial infection may have triggered the onset of UC.
- Paralytic ileus in the patient is attributed to increased nitric oxide production in inflamed bowel tissues.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential infectious trigger for pediatric ulcerative colitis.
- Understanding the role of infection in UC onset may lead to new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is needed to explore the link between infections and inflammatory bowel disease development.
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