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Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
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Infectious causes of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Sarah A Coggins1, James L Wynn2, Jörn-Hendrik Weitkamp2
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Clinics in Perinatology
|February 14, 2015
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common infant emergency, lacks a clear cause. This review examines infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, potentially contributing to NEC development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical gastrointestinal condition affecting premature infants.
- The precise mechanisms underlying NEC pathogenesis remain incompletely understood.
- Infectious agents are increasingly investigated as potential contributors to NEC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing literature on the infectious causes of NEC.
- To evaluate the evidence linking specific microorganisms to NEC development.
- To highlight the current understanding of infectious culprits in NEC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published research on NEC and infectious agents.
- Analysis of studies reporting bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in NEC patients.
- Literature synthesis to identify common themes and gaps in knowledge.
Main Results:
- Numerous reports associate various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections with NEC.
- No single infectious organism has been definitively identified as the primary cause of NEC.
- The role of specific pathogens in NEC pathogenesis requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Infectious agents are implicated in NEC, but a definitive causative link is not established.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of different microorganisms in NEC.
- Understanding infectious contributions is crucial for preventing and treating NEC in premature infants.
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