Infectious enteritis. A collective review.

Enteric infections are a major cause of diarrhea in the United States. Pathogens can cause diarrhea by elaboration of toxins that affect the intestinal mucosa or by direct invasion of the intestinal wall. Clinical evaluation can provide important clues to aid in establishing a correct diagnosis in most patients with infectious enteritis. Appropriate cultures are necessary to confirm the diagnosis in most cases. Most types of infectious enteritis are self-limiting, but some pathogens can cause serious disease, requiring accurate diagnosis and suitable antibiotic therapy. Appropriate precautions are mandatory to prevent the spread of infectious diarrhea from occurring in the hospital environment. Dietary restrictions and appropriate hygiene should be observed during travel to foreign countries to reduce the chance of acquiring infectious enteritis.