Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 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

A common-source epidemic of mixed bacterial diarrhea with secondary transmission

C R Kapadia, P Bhat, S J Baker

    American Journal of Epidemiology
    |November 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    A 1972 southern India diarrhea epidemic was linked to enteric bacteria from contaminated well water. The outbreak spread person-to-person, causing acute illness but no chronic issues.

    Area of Science:

    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • A three-month epidemic of acute diarrhea occurred in a southern Indian village in 1972.
    • Enteric pathogenic bacteria were frequently isolated from patients during the outbreak.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the cause and transmission dynamics of the acute diarrhea epidemic.
    • To identify the etiological agents and risk factors associated with the outbreak.

    Main Methods:

    • Case investigation and clinical assessment of affected individuals.
    • Microbiological analysis of stool samples to identify enteric pathogens.
    • Environmental investigation to identify potential sources of contamination, including well water analysis.

    Main Results:

    • A high rate of enteric pathogenic bacteria isolation from patients.
    • No significant association found between enteroviruses or parasites and diarrhea cases.
    • The epidemic originated from a common-source outbreak, likely due to contaminated well water.
    • Evidence of secondary cases suggesting person-to-person transmission.

    Conclusions:

    • The epidemic was primarily caused by enteric pathogenic bacteria originating from contaminated well water.
    • Person-to-person spread contributed to the epidemic's duration and extent.
    • The illness was characterized by acute diarrhea without resulting in chronic diarrhea or malabsorption.

    More Related Videos

    Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates08:32

    Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates

    Published on: February 17, 2023

    Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella04:56

    Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella

    Published on: February 9, 2024

    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...
    Reservoir of Infection01:30

    Reservoir of Infection

    Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
    Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

    Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

    Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
    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...
    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...