Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Mysteries of Sichuan's Herbal Medicine in Chinese Medicine Research
Published on: March 1, 2024
Gastrointestinal symptoms in travellers
Alastair C McGregor1, Stephen G Wright2
1Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK, and Imported Fever Service, Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK.
Abstract:
Diarrhoea is probably the single most common medical complaint in returning travellers. The most common pathogens are entero-toxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Viruses, toxigenic Arcobacter and Bacteroides fragilis, as well as parasites such as Cryptosporidium sp, are increasingly recognised but are not tested for in most diagnostic laboratories. Blood in stools is a sign of invasive disease and should trigger exclusion of invasive amoebic disease. The use of empiric antibiotics may shorten illness but is complicated by the diversity of bacterial causes and emerging resistance.
Insights
Diarrhoea is a frequent health issue for travellers returning home. Common causes include bacteria like E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, with other pathogens increasingly recognized.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Travel Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Diarrhoea is the most common medical complaint among returning travellers.
- Key bacterial pathogens include entero-toxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
- Viral, other bacterial, and parasitic causes are increasingly identified but often not tested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the common causes of traveller's diarrhoea.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and emerging pathogens.
- To discuss the implications of empiric antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common pathogens causing diarrhoea in travellers.
- Analysis of diagnostic limitations and emerging infectious agents.
- Discussion of treatment strategies, including antibiotic use and resistance.
Main Results:
- Entero-toxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter are the most frequent bacterial causes.
- Viruses, toxigenic Arcobacter, Bacteroides fragilis, and parasites like Cryptosporidium are increasingly recognized.
- Blood in stools warrants exclusion of invasive amoebic disease.
Conclusions:
- Traveller's diarrhoea has diverse causes, with bacterial pathogens being most common.
- Diagnostic testing often misses viral and parasitic etiologies.
- Empiric antibiotic treatment is complex due to pathogen diversity and antimicrobial resistance.
More Related Videos
07:06Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
03:25Author Spotlight: Exploring Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Chronic Respiratory Diseases — Linking Intestinal Microbiome Insights to COPD Treatment
Published on: December 27, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:23Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis