Tropical Enteropathies.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Health
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Tropical enteropathy, now termed environmental enteropathy or environmental enteric dysfunction, was identified by differing small intestinal morphology and function in tropical regions.
• This condition is linked to environmental factors rather than latitude and affects child health and linear growth in low- and middle-income countries.
• Environmental enteropathy may also contribute to diminished responses to oral vaccines in these populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and clarify environmental enteropathy, addressing its confusing terminology.
• To differentiate environmental enteropathy from other enteropathic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on environmental enteropathy.
• Analysis of studies investigating mucosal lesions, microbial translocation, and systemic inflammation.
• Comparison of environmental enteropathy with other enteropathic states, including malnutrition enteropathy.

Main Results:

• Emerging evidence suggests a link between mucosal barrier dysfunction, microbial translocation, and systemic inflammation inhibiting growth, though evidence remains correlative.
• Animal models provide some support for these proposed mechanisms.
• Environmental enteropathy shares some features with other enteropathies but also has distinct characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Environmental enteropathy and malnutrition enteropathy are significant health issues in low-income countries, affecting millions.
• The precise mechanisms linking environmental enteropathy to vaccine failure and the drivers of malnutrition enteropathy require further investigation.
• Understanding the long-term health implications of these tropical enteropathies is crucial for public health initiatives.