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Review
. 2015 Nov;93(5):912-917.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0200. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Gastrointestinal Infections in Deployed Forces in the Middle East Theater: An Historical 60 Year Perspective

Mark S Riddle, Stephen J Savarino, John W Sanders
Review

Gastrointestinal Infections in Deployed Forces in the Middle East Theater: An Historical 60 Year Perspective

Mark S Riddle et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Infectious diarrhea has been among the most common maladies of military deployments throughout time. The U.S. military experienced a significant burden from this disease in the middle eastern and north African campaigns of World War II (WWII). This article compares patterns of disease experienced in WWII with the recent military deployments to the same region for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). Remarkable similarities in the prevalence and risk factors were noted, which belie the assumed improvements in prevention against these infections. In both campaigns, peaks of diarrhea occurred shortly after arrival of new personnel, which were seasonally associated and were linked to initial lapses in field sanitation and hygiene. It is important to reassess current strategies, especially, in light of emerging evidence of the chronic sequelae of these common infections to include a reemphasis on or reexamination of vaccine development, rapid field diagnostics, treatment algorithms, and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the Middle East theater during World War II (WWII) (1942–1945) (adapted from Chart 395) and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) (2003–2006) (dashed line adapted from Ref. 17 and solid line from Ref. 10).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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