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Review
. 2021 Jun;50(2):283-304.
doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Acute Bacterial Gastroenteritis

James M Fleckenstein  1 , F Matthew Kuhlmann  2 , Alaullah Sheikh  2
Affiliations
Review

Acute Bacterial Gastroenteritis

James M Fleckenstein et al. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Acute bacterial gastroenteritis is among the most common infections worldwide, with millions of infections annually in the United States. Much of the illness is foodborne, occurring as both sporadic cases and large multistate outbreaks. Pathogen evolution through genetic exchange of virulence traits and antibiotic resistance determinants poses challenges for empiric therapy. Culture-independent diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories afford rapid diagnosis and expanded identification of pathogens. However, cultures remain important to generate sensitivity data and strain archiving for outbreak investigations. Most infections are self-limited, permitting judicious selection of antibiotic use in more severe forms of illness.

Keywords: Bacteria; Diarrhea; Gastroenteritis; Pathogens.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

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