Virology, Emerging Diseases & vaccines

Gastrointestinal infections

Infections of alimentary canal due to action of microbes are known as gastrointestinal infections. Many microbes such bacteria (E. coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Clostridium), viruses, (Rotavirus, Adenoviruses, Parvoviruses, etc) and other parasites (Giardia, Entamoeba, Ascaris) causes infection in various parts of gut.  Few common symptoms that arise due to infections are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, etc. Rotavirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis among children. Norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks. Other viruses that cause the stomach flu include adenovirus, calicivirus and astrovirus. Most cases of viral gastroenteritis clear on their own within 2 to 4 days, but dehydration may require medical treatment. Diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections is confirmed by various types of laboratory tests using culture or antigen detection from stool specimen. In some cases microbial resistance of E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium difficile is tested using antibiotic susceptibility. A major outbreak of gastrointestinal infection is mainly seen in hospital environment.