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Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Infectious causes of chronic diarrhoea
Lisa Kaiser1, Christina M Surawicz
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|February 7, 2013
Summary
Infections rarely cause chronic diarrhea, with parasites like giardia being the most common culprits. Prompt evaluation is key to identifying these infectious causes and preventing further complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Chronic diarrhoea is a common patient complaint.
- Infectious etiologies are considered uncommon causes of chronic diarrhoea in immunocompetent individuals.
- Parasitic infections are more frequently implicated than bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of infections in chronic diarrhoea.
- To identify common infectious agents causing chronic diarrhoea.
- To discuss the potential for infections to trigger other chronic diarrhoeal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of infectious causes of chronic diarrhoea.
- Analysis of the prevalence of protozoa, bacteria, and other pathogens.
- Discussion of diagnostic approaches for identifying infections.
Main Results:
- Protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidia, and Cyclospora are the most likely infectious agents.
- Bacterial infections are rare causes of chronic diarrhoea, with exceptions including Yersinia, Plesiomonas, and Aeromonas.
- Infectious diarrhoea can precipitate other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Infections are an infrequent but important cause of chronic diarrhoea.
- Parasitic infections are the primary infectious agents to consider.
- Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
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