INFECTIONS AND ENTEROCOLITIS Flashcards
What is the most commonly accepted definition of diarrhoea?
> 3 loose stools in 24 hours
What is osmotic diarrhoea?
This occurs when a soluble compound cannot be absorbed by the small intestine, and thus draws fluid into the intestinal lumen.
Examples include: osmotic laxatives; magnesium-based antacids; and foods containing mannitol, sorbitol, or xylitol. Osmotic diarrhoea can also be due to generalised malabsorption (for example, coeliac disease and pancreatic insufficiency).
The volume of diarrhoea is reduced by the absorption of fluid by ileum/colon so the diarrhoea stops when the pt stops eating or the malabsorption substance is discontinued
What is secretory diarrhoea?
results from increased secretion of fluid and electrolytes into the intestine alongside decreased absorption
Can be caused by infections, fatty acids, bile salts and some drugs
Even if the person fasts, secretory diarrhoea will persist
What is inflammatory diarrhoea?
Damage to intestinal mucosal cells affects absorption of fluid and electrolytes and results in fluid and blood loss. Infection (e.g. Shigella) and conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are causes of inflammatory diarrhoea.
Nocturnal symptoms are often present.
Outline how increased intestinal motility can cause diarrhoea?
This may present with an increased frequency of stool passage without an increase in volume. It can occur with endocrine conditions such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
What are the possible mechanisms that can cause diarrhoea?
Increased osmotic load in the gut lumen
Increase in secretion
Inflammation of intestinal lining
Increased intestinal motility
Whats acute and chronic diarrhoea?
Acute lasts <14 days
Persistant lasts >2 weeks but <4 weeks
Chronic lasts >4 weeks
What typically causes acute diarrhoea?
Infections
What are some common infectious causes of diarrhoea?
Viral - norovirus or rotavirus
E.coli food poisoning
Food poisoning from salmonella, campylobacter or staphylococcus bacteria
C.diff infections
Contaminated food or water - typically giardia or entamoeba histolytica
What are the clinical features of infectious diarrhoea?
Fever
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Acute diarrhoea
(Dehydration my occur especially in very young or elderly patients)
What are the key investigations for infectious diarrhoea?
Stool microscopy culture sensitivities
Samples for c.diff toxin in some cases
Stool for ova, cysts and parasites in some cases
In which people with infectious diarrhoea should you test stool sample for c.diff toxins?
Elderly
Nursing home residents
Recent antibiotic use
In which people with infectious diarrhoea should you test stool sample for ova, cysts and parasites?
Persistent diarrhoea
Men who have sex with men
Immunocompromised patients
Recent travel abroad
If suspecting giardiasis, amoebas is or cryptosporidium
How is acute diarrhoea managed?
Volume depletion with oral rehydration solutions or in serious cases IV fluid resuscitation
In some cases antibiotic treatment may be indicated
When is antibiotic treatment indicated for acute diarrhoea?
Severe/prolonged sympotms e.g. >5 days
Systemic signs of infection
Extremes of age
Immunocompromised individuals
Complications
Bloody or mucoid stools
What are the causes of chronic diarrhoea?
IBS
Microscopic colitis
IBD
Colonic cancer
Medications
Diet
Bile acid diarrhoea
Pancreatic insufficiency
Coeliac disease
Overflow diarrhoea
Others e.g. hyperthyroidism, radiation enteritis, incontinence, SIBO etc
What investigations should be done for chronic diarrhoea?
FBC, U&Es, TFTs
Coeliac screen - TTG or EMA antibodies
Faecal calprotectin
Stool MCS and c.diff toxin screen
If the above dont reveal a cause then patients should undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
Further investigations dependant on sympotms include… imaging, SeHCAT scan, lactose hydrogen breath test
What are considered normal bowel habits?
Vary on an individual basis but it is generally considered normal once every 3 days to 3 times a day
What is dysentery?
an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood and sometimes mucus
What can cause osmotic diarrhoea?
Disaccharide deficiencies
Drug-induced
Galactose
Generalised malabsorption
What can cause secretory diarrhoea?
Infections
Defects in intraluminal digestion and absorption
Excess laxative use
Outline how increased AND decreased gut motility can lead to diarrhoea?
Increased - lack of absorption due to rapid transit
Stasis - facilitates bacterial overgrowth which can cause diarrhoea
What can cause bloody diarrhoea?
Inflammation - IBD
Infection
Neoplasms
What is enterocolitis?
Inflammation of the intestines