Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
10:52
Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model
Published on: October 22, 2013
14.2K
[The Most Common Acute Gastrointestinal Infections]
Thomas Greuter1, Bernhard Magdeburg1
11 Medizinische Klinik, GZO Spital Wetzikon.
Praxis
|October 15, 2015
Summary
Acute gastrointestinal infections, often presenting as diarrhea and vomiting, are common. This review details key pathogens, including Norovirus, Rotavirus, Clostridium difficile, and enterotoxigenic E. coli, aiding in understanding these frequent infections.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Context:
- Acute gastrointestinal infections with diarrhea and vomiting are common outpatient and inpatient issues.
- Diagnostic work-ups are often unnecessary due to the self-limiting nature of many cases.
- High hygienic standards in developed countries make bacterial infections less common than viral ones.
Purpose:
- To review the most significant pathogens causing acute gastrointestinal infections.
- To detail the characteristics of common viral and bacterial causes of diarrhea.
- To highlight specific pathogens like Clostridium difficile in inpatient settings and enterotoxigenic E. coli in traveler's diarrhea.
Summary:
- Viral infections, primarily Norovirus and Rotavirus, are the most frequent causes of acute gastroenteritis.
- Bacterial infections are less common but Clostridium difficile should be considered in hospitalized patients with prior antibiotic use.
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli is a primary cause of traveler's diarrhea.
Impact:
- Provides a concise overview of key gastrointestinal pathogens for clinicians.
- Aids in differential diagnosis of acute diarrhea and vomiting presentations.
- Informs understanding of pathogen prevalence in different clinical settings.
Keywords:
CampylobacterioseClostridium difficileGastrointestinale InfektionenReisediarrhöSalmonellosecampylobactercampylobacteriosisclostridium difficilediarrhée du voyageurgastroentérite aiguëgastrointestinal infectionsnorovirussalmonellessalmonellosistraveler’s diarrheaMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
36
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
36
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
544
Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
544
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
801
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
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...
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...
801
01:23Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
1.7K
The clinical manifestations of gastritis can vary depending on the cause and type of gastritis, but some common symptoms may include the following.
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...
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...
1.7K
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
43
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
43
01:26Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
1.1K
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impact various parts of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These infections are generally bacterial, with Escherichia coli being the most common causative agent, often originating from the gastrointestinal tract. However, other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, are also known to cause UTIs. The type, location, and underlying complexity of the UTI guide both...
1.1K