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A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
08:42

A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Published on: April 10, 2019

Enteritis necroticans among Khmer children at an evacuation site in Thailand

S Johnson, P Echeverria, D N Taylor

    Lancet (London, England)
    |August 29, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Enteritis necroticans, a severe diarrheal illness, caused high mortality in Khmer children. This condition, previously seen only in Papua New Guinea, was linked to Clostridium perfringens type C.

    Area of Science:

    • Gastroenterology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pediatrics

    Background:

    • A severe illness with bloody diarrhea and intestinal dysfunction was identified in Khmer children at a Thai-Kampuchean border evacuation site.
    • The outbreak occurred between June 1985 and July 1986, affecting 62 children aged 10 months to 10 years.

    Observation:

    • The illness presented with bloody diarrhea (94%), fever (90%), and abdominal pain (78%).
    • The overall mortality rate was alarmingly high at 58% among affected children.

    Findings:

    • Necropsy in 16 deceased children revealed small-intestinal necrosis, with 5 cases showing full-thickness necrosis similar to enteritis necroticans (pigbel).
    • Clostridium perfringens type C, a beta-toxin producer, was isolated from 2 children.
    • Antibodies to beta toxin were detected in survivors, suggesting a role in the disease.

    Implications:

    • These findings demonstrate that enteritis necroticans can occur and cause significant morbidity and mortality outside of Papua New Guinea.
    • This highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnostic consideration of enteritis necroticans in similar clinical settings globally.

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