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Acute gastroenteritis in Latin America
1Department of Microbiology, University of Chile, Santiago.
Insights
Acute gastroenteritis is a significant health issue in Latin America, particularly for young children. This review covers key bacterial and viral pathogens, offering diagnostic and treatment guidelines for the region.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a leading cause of illness and death in children under five in Latin America.
- Low-income populations are disproportionately affected, experiencing frequent diarrheal episodes annually.
- Enteropathogenic infections pose a substantial public health challenge in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review bacterial and viral enteropathogens causing acute diarrhea in Latin America.
- To provide updated epidemiologic, clinical, and pathogenic information on relevant pathogens.
- To propose diagnostic and treatment guidelines tailored for the region.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of bacterial and viral enteropathogens associated with acute diarrhea.
- Analysis of epidemiologic, clinical, and pathogenic data, with regional emphasis.
- Discussion of current diarrheogenic *Escherichia coli* classification.
Main Results:
- Identified key bacterial and viral agents responsible for acute gastroenteritis.
- Highlighted regional variations in pathogen prevalence and characteristics.
- Reviewed the classification of diarrheogenic *E. coli*.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of acute gastroenteritis requires understanding regional enteropathogen profiles.
- Proposed diagnostic and treatment strategies aim to improve patient outcomes in Latin America.
- Further research and surveillance are crucial for controlling diarrheal diseases.
Abstract:
In Latin America, acute gastroenteritis remains to be an important cause of morbidity in adults and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. A child under 5 years of age belonging to a low income segment of the Latin American population will develop 5 to 10 bouts of diarrhea every year. The bacterial and viral enteropathogens associated with acute diarrhea are reviewed in this article. Updated information on epidemiologic, clinical, and pathogenic aspects for the relevant enteropathogens is discussed with special emphasis on regional data when available. The current diarrheogenic E. coli classification is particularly discussed. A diagnostic approach to acute gastroenteritis for both the clinical and research laboratories in Latin America as well as guidelines for treatment are proposed.