PATHOGENIC ASPECTS IN ACUTE DIARRHOEA
Abstract:
In general, all types of diarrhoea results from an alteration of water and electrolytes transport, at intestinal level, including an alteration of the absorption and secretion of water and electrolytes. Due to age particularities, infants have an increased risk for acute dehydration syndrome, in comparison with adults. Diarrhoea is produced by four mechanisms: secretory, osmotic, altered motility and mucosal inflammation. The pathogens had to overcome the host defence mechanisms in order to produce the disease. These defence mechanisms are: gastric acidity, intestinal motility, commensal microflora and local and systemic immune defence mechanisms. The complex interactions between the host defence mechanisms and the bacterial virulence factors determined four mechanisms that produce bacterial diarrhoea: invasive, cytotoxic, toxigenic and through adherence.
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