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The Burden of Enteropathy and "Subclinical" Infections
Elizabeth T Rogawski1, Richard L Guerrant2
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, PO Box 801379, Carter Harrison Research Building MR-6, 345 Crispell Drive, Room 2520, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1379, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, PO Box 801379, Carter Harrison Research Building MR-6, 345 Crispell Drive, Room 2520, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1379, USA.
Abstract:
Environmental enteropathy is a chronic condition of the small intestine associated with increased intestinal permeability, mucosal inflammation, malabsorption, and systemic inflammation. It is commonly accompanied by enteric infections and is misleadingly considered a subclinical disease. Potential effects of enteric infections and enteropathy on vaccine responses, child growth, cognitive development, and even later life obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are increasingly being recognized. Herein, we review the evolving challenges to defining environmental enteropathy and enteric infections, current evidence for the magnitude and determinants of its burden, new assessment tools, and relevant interventions.
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