Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
06:55

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

Published on: November 7, 2018

Kinetics of Enteric Pathogen Quantity During Acute Diarrhea in Children in Resource-Limited Settings

William J Lain1, Sarah E Elwood1, Jie Liu2

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|June 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early sample collection is crucial for identifying the cause of childhood diarrhea. Pathogen levels, especially rotavirus, decrease rapidly, impacting accurate diagnosis in diarrheal studies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Microbial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Understanding pathogen dynamics in childhood diarrhea is essential for accurate etiological diagnosis.
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR) allows for precise measurement of pathogen loads.
  • Host factors may influence the course of infectious diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the relationship between pathogen quantity and symptom duration in children with diarrhea.
  • To investigate the impact of host factors on pathogen kinetics.
  • To determine the optimal timing for sample collection in diarrheal studies.

Main Methods:

  • A multisite cohort study was conducted.
  • Quantitative PCR was used to measure pathogen loads in stool samples.
  • Statistical models were employed to analyze pathogen quantity in relation to symptom duration and host factors.

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus showed the most significant quantity reduction by day 7, followed by Shigella and heat-stable toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
  • Peak pathogen quantities were consistent across different host factors, but pathogen decline kinetics varied.
  • Malnourished children exhibited slower pathogen quantity decline for Cryptosporidium.

Conclusions:

  • Pathogen quantity, etiological attribution, and diagnostic test sensitivity are highest early in the course of illness.
  • Prompt sample collection in diarrheal studies is critical to minimize bias in identifying causative agents.
  • Host factors like malnutrition can alter pathogen clearance rates, affecting diagnostic accuracy.

Keywords:
diarrheapathogen quantityqPCR

More Related Videos

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens08:23

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens

Published on: March 10, 2020

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model10:52

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Published on: October 22, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

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...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

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 receptor...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Cholera01:25

Cholera

Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...