[23] Bacterial Gastroenteritis Flashcards
What is bacterial gastroenteritis?
An inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacterial infection in the gut
When is bacterial gastroenteritis most common?
Under 2 years of age
What kind of diarrhoea does bacterial gastroenteritis cause?
Secretory and inflammatory
What are the sources of infection in bacterial gastroenteritis?
- Contaminated water
- Poor food hygiene, e.g. meat, fresh produce, previously cooked rice
- Faecal-oral route
What are the common causative organisms for bacterial gastroenteritis?
- Salmonella spp.
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Shigella spp.
- Yersina enterocolitica
- E. Coli
- C. Difficile
- Bacillus cereus
- Vibrio cholerae
How does bacterial gastroenteritis present?
Same as viral, plus;
- Malaise
- Dysentery
- Abdominal pain
- Tenesmus
What is dysentery?
Bloody and mucous diarrhoea
What might the abdominal pain in bacterial gastroenteritis mimic?
- Appendicitis
- IBD
What investigations are done into bacterial gastroenteritis?
- Stool +/- blood culture
- Stool C. Difficile toxin
- Sigmoidoscopy if IBD or colitis suspected
What are the differentials for bacterial gastroenteritis?
Same as viral
What is the management for bacterial gastroenteritis?
Rehydration as for viral gastroenteritis
Are antibiotics indicated for bacterial gastroenteritis?
Not usually
Why are antibiotics not usually indicated for bacterial gastroenteritis?
Because the duration of symptoms is not altered, and it may increase the risk of chronic carrier statusq
What are the indications for antibiotics in bacterial gastroenteritis?
- High risk of disseminated disease
- Presence of artificial implants, e.g. V-P shunt
- Severe colitis
- Severe systemic illness
- Age <6 months
- Enteric fever
- Cholera
- E. Coli 0157
What antibiotics are given if required in bacterial gastroenteritis?
Most organisms are sensitive to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, or third generation cephalosporins.
