Interní Med. 2011; 13(7): 288-291

Acute gastrointestinal infections

MUDr.Helena Ambrožová, Ph.D.

I. infekční klinika 2. LF UK a FN Na Bulovce, Praha

Gastrointestinal infections primarily affect the small and large intestine, less frequently the oesophagus and stomach. The causative

agents may include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Oesophagitis mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients including those

who are HIV positive; the aetiology is dominated by candidas, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. Intestinal infections present

as acute gastroenteritis or enterocolitis. In the Czech Republic, the most common causative agents are campylobacters, salmonellas;

rotaviruses and noroviruses. Clostridium difficile has an increasing significance in association with the worldwide emergence of a new

hypervirulent strain referred to as ribotype 027. In addition to dehydration, complications may include febrile convulsions, encephalopathy,

haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and erythema nodosum; toxic megacolon with intestinal perforation

and extraintestinal infections caused by invasive pathogens may also have a severe course.

Keywords: oesophagitis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, salmonella, campylobacter, rotavirus, norovirus, Clostridium difficile, diagnosis

Published: October 1, 2011  Show citation