Pathogens of intestinal infections: classification, treatment and prevention

Intestinal infection is a concept that combines more than 30 types of diseases as a result of the activity of viruses and bacteria. To avoid troubles in connection with them, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of the infection and the symptoms of the disease.

Definition

Intestinal infection is a disease in which its pathogens penetrate the intestines of the victim. Intoxication, indigestion, fever are the main symptoms. Such types of pathogens of intestinal infections as salmonella, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera - disrupt the digestive process and dehydrate the body.

Ways of infection:

• airborne droplet;
• airborne dust;
• food.

The source of infection can be both sick and cured patients for some time (about three weeks). The presence of microbes is observed in feces, as well as in urine, vomit, and saliva. It is true that diseases of a bacterial nature are called "dirty hands disease".

Immunity to viruses is not produced, so there is no guarantee that after a disease it does not return.

Types: bacterial and viral

Intestinal infections are divided into two groups: pathogenic (immediately provoking inflammation) and opportunistic (developing under certain conditions, weakening of the body). Both viruses and bacteria can act as pathogens. Both have an individual effect on the body, and it is difficult to determine the high degree of harm to one of them.

Viruses enter the environment along with the feces of the infected patient, animals, poultry. All items in contact with feces present a risk of transmission.

Common viral and bacterial pathogens of intestinal infections:

• enteropathogenic Escherichia coli;
• campylobacteriosis;
• Salmonella
• rotaviruses;
• halophylosis;
• Escherichiosis;
• dysenteric shigella;
• staphylococci;
• cholera vibrios.

What are the classification of pathogens?

Viral Transmission of infection: oral, household, airborne droplets. The risk of infection is higher than bacterial. The sick person is dangerous to others for three weeks after recovery. Varieties:

• enterovirus - muscle and nervous system, heart are affected;
• enteric hepatitis A and E - with poor-quality water, infected products, unwashed dishes;
• rotavirus gastroenteritis - a person is a source of infection.

Protozoal. Infection occurs by swallowing water from an infected body of water.

The treatment is long, involves the use of specialized drugs. Varieties:

• amoebiasis, toxoplasmosis - due to microorganisms in the human body, animal;
• giardiasis - if untreated, there is resettlement throughout the body;
• balantidiasis - the reproduction of the infusoria of balantidi, accompanied by ulcerative colitis.

Bacterial diseases:

1. Escherichiosis. The disease occurs due to the activity of E. coli. Bacteria remain active for several months.
2. Dysentery. Intoxication with Shigella bacteria. Toxins are produced in the human body. The source of infection is man, water, food.
3. Typhoid fever. Sources of infection - water, products. The foci of the gastrointestinal tract increase, ulcers and ruptures form. It is dangerous in that its incubation period reaches two weeks.
4. Salmonellosis. Infection is possible after eating low-quality meat, butter, eggs, milk. Of the possible complications: cerebral edema, renal failure.
5. Cholera. The causative agent is cholera vibrio: severe dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting. Deaths are frequent.
6. Brucellosis. Damage to the digestive tract, musculoskeletal, reproductive, nervous systems. The reason is poor-quality dairy products. Man is not a source of infection.
7. Helicobacteriosis. It leads to damage to the duodenum and other parts of the digestive system. On mucous membranes ulcers are observed.
8. Botulism. A deadly disease triggered by a botulinum toxin. Reproduction occurs in the absence of oxygen. The source of infection is home-made canned food made in violation of technology.
9. Staphylococcus Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, the symptoms are confused with the common cold. Incorrect treatment leads to complications.

The causative agents of intestinal infections multiply rapidly, and if an untimely visit to a specialist occurs, serious complications are not excluded.

Causes

As a rule, bacteria of the causative agents of intestinal infections penetrate the body due to hygiene, improper storage and processing of foods, eating certain categories of food.

Sources of infection:

• raw water, milk;
• cream cake, fermented milk products;
• inadequate storage conditions for products (on one shelf are fresh fruits and products that must undergo heat treatment - meat, fish);
• improper temperature storage (at room temperature, bacteria multiply actively);
• infected rodent feces falling on the dishes;
• insufficiently cooked meat;
• eggs: raw, poorly cooked, unroasted;
• contaminated vegetables and greens;
• general hygiene items (dishes, towels);
• contact with objects in the room where the patient lives;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• transmission of infection by insects (flies);
• swallowing infected water when swimming in a pond.

In some patients, susceptibility to intestinal pathogens is significantly higher than in others.

These categories of citizens include:

• aged people;
• alcohol abusers;
• premature babies;
• babies who are breast-fed;
• born with disorders of the nervous system;
• immunodeficient.

Symptoms

The incubation period, depending on the type of pathogen, lasts from several hours to 10 days. The main symptoms, except for loose stool with an admixture of mucus and blood (or without), are fever and cramping pains, vomiting, and other signs of intoxication. In addition to this, clinical manifestations due to a specific causative agent of intestinal infections are observed.

In the first hours, symptoms may be absent, but then pain in the abdomen occurs - seizures lasting from four minutes or more. The main symptoms of acute intestinal infections are similar.

The list of common symptoms of intestinal diseases:

• impaired appetite;
• diarrhea (it is important to stop it in order to avoid dehydration);
• insomnia;
• skin rash;
• nausea, vomiting;
• abdominal noises;
• drowsiness, fatigue.

Specific symptoms of the main causative agents of intestinal infections:

• gastritic syndrome: pain in the stomach, continuous bouts of vomiting, nausea after eating;
• gastroenteric syndrome: discomfort in the navel, vomiting, feces look greenish, mucus, blood may be present in them;
• enteric syndrome: frequent watery stools (characteristic of cholera);
• enterocolitic syndrome: severe abdominal pain, rapid urge to defecate (characteristic of dysentery, salmonellosis);
• colitic syndrome: pain in the lower abdomen, traces of mucus, blood, false urge to defecate are observed in the feces, there is no feeling of relief after emptying, the pain does not subside;
• intoxication: weakness, body aches, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fever;
• bacterial infection: signs of dehydration, which if untreated leads to death;
• a combination of all the symptoms in various ways.

Secondary symptoms of carriage of intestinal pathogens:

• manifestations of pneumonia (occurs against the background of partial dehydration, often in children);
• renal failure (water exposure to toxins, dehydration);
• Infectious-toxic shock: manifests itself soon after infection, as a result of an increased concentration of toxic substances in the body;
• fungal infections of the gastrointestinal tract;
• dehydration: after vomiting, diarrhea.

The name of the pathogen and the possible clinical picture:

• campylobacteriosis - the condition resembles appendicitis;
• yersiniosis infection - the development of erythema nodosum, joint damage;
• salmonellosis - bacteremia and meningitis, pneumonia, abscesses of internal organs;
• infection caused by E. coli strains - hemolytic-uremic syndrome, renal failure, hemolytic anemia.

When dehydrated, the patient may fall into a coma with a fatal outcome. Signs of problems are: a prolonged lack of urination, a frequent pulse, low blood pressure, a change in skin tone, and dry mucous membranes. The faster the characteristic signs appear after eating infected foods, the more severe the intestinal infection.

In some cases, an analysis of the carriage of intestinal pathogens is carried out according to the appearance of feces:

• salmonellosis: frequent and fluid bowel movements of a greenish tint;
• Escherichiosis: loose stool yellowish-orange;
• cholera, halophylosis: watery stool with whitish mucus;
• dysentery: mucous stool with blood;
• rotavirus infection: stools are liquid, foamy, brown.

External symptoms are not enough to analyze intestinal infections, for this purpose a detailed laboratory study is necessary.

Diagnostics

In each case, the disease is diagnosed previously, as a result of examination and questioning of the patient. But a precise definition of the causative agent of intestinal infection will give a bacteriological examination of feces, blood, vomit.

Laboratory diagnostics involves inoculation and microbiological examination of feces in the intestinal group, a blood test for RNGA with shigellosis diagnostics.

For the purpose of a preliminary diagnosis, a relationship is established between the quality of food consumed and the appearance of feces. A rotavirus infection test is then performed.

If the result is negative, the following diagnostics are necessary:

• sowing feces;
• research of washing waters on a nutrient medium for bacteria that provoked the disease;
• vomit is examined in a similar manner.

Test results can drag on for five days. The serological method allows you to detect specific antibodies to viruses of various types using ELISA, RNGA.

The patient is tested for carriage of intestinal pathogens from a vein, which is carried out not on the first day of the disease, but in the process of combating a progressive virus.

Mandatory is the study in biological material of the characteristics of a particular type of bacteria (PCR study). Changes in the intestinal microflora inherent in one or another type of gastrointestinal lesions will help to detect studies using sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and other methods.

If the result of sowing was negative, immunological methods of diagnosis are used. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detect antibodies to campylobacter and salmonella; enterotoxins of pathogenic strains can be detected by PCR, latex agglutination.

How to take an analysis?

In order to obtain reliable results, the patient is recommended to prepare accordingly:

• for five days, refrain from meat, alcohol, eat dairy products, cereals, potatoes, white bread;
• three days before the procedure for seeding on intestinal pathogens, stop taking antibiotics, laxatives, iron preparations, rectal suppositories;
• prepare a container for analysis: a container purchased in a pharmacy that is hermetically sealed and sterile.

Rules of Procedure:

• prevent the ingress of foreign substances into the feces: urine, blood;
• the container for the contents must not be treated with aggressive chemicals: it is necessary to wash the container with soap and then scald with boiling water;
• for storing the analysis, about 4 hours are allowed in the refrigerator; the longer the transportation period, the less accurate the results, since some pathogens die.

At home, the analysis is taken in a sterile container. The volume that you should focus on is a full teaspoon. In the infectious disease cabinet, a rectal swab is taken with a swab, which is injected at a shallow depth into the rectum and placed in a test tube. The container is accompanied by a direction issued by a doctor.

Types of research:

1. For greater accuracy of the result, a triple analysis of feces is provided. The material is placed in a nutrient medium for 5 days. In this case, colonies suitable for smear on the intestinal group grow, even with a small number of microorganisms. Pathological pathogens can be identified by the appearance, motility of organisms under a microscope.
2. A laboratory assistant when viewing feces dissolved in water on the first day can give a preliminary result. A bacteriological study allows you to determine the infectious agent, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics.
3. The microbiological method involves the mandatory seeding of feces on special media, and if this is not possible, samples of the material are placed in a solution with glycerin.
4. Biochemical tests: determine the amount of fatty acids in the intestine, as a result of which they draw conclusions about the qualitative composition of the intestinal group.
5. Quick results are obtained by serological studies of blood reactions. Analysis for the intestinal group takes into account the whole spectrum of microorganisms.

Duration of analysis: the final result of studies on intestinal pathogens will take about seven days. This period is necessary to establish the characteristics of the growth of the pathogen. You can speed up the process using express methods that will provide less credibility.

The presence of the pathogen variety is noted in the corresponding column of the research form or fits into the conclusion signed by the doctor. A detailed analysis taking into account the number of colony forming units allows us to judge the nature of dysbiosis against the background of beneficial microflora.

The analysis should not be deciphered independently; only bacteriologists, infectious disease specialists, and gastroenterologists will give the correct answer.

Treatment

Infectious intestinal disease requires an integrated approach and cannot go away on its own. The treatment is aimed at eliminating the causative agents of acute intestinal viral infections, and a correctly constructed treatment regimen ensures a phased recovery.

The basic principles of treatment:

• bed rest;
• a specific diet;
• the use of specialized medicines.

In the fight against pathogens of intestinal infections, antibiotics or intestinal antiseptics are prescribed. Their advantage is that they can be used to determine the pathogen virus.

In each case, sorbents are prescribed for the accelerated elimination of toxins from the body (Smecta, Atoxil, Enterosgel, Filtrum).

In the process of normalization, probiotics (Linex, Hilak forte, Acipol), and bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are shown. Successfully struggling with dysbiosis "Enterogermina", "Mezim", "Creon", "Pancreatin", "Bio-guy", "Enterol", yoghurts.

The next stage requires rehydration, as the patient loses large volumes of salt and liquid, which is fraught with consequences. In addition to this, antipyretic drugs, drugs for diarrhea, diet, bed rest are prescribed. In the pharmacy, you can buy ready-made salt preparations from which saline solution is made.

Means recommended in the fight against pathogens of viral intestinal infections: "Norfloxacin" (in tablets), "Oralit", "Regidron", "Humana". Symptomatic treatment for gastritis includes the use of "Omez", "Ranitidine", "Omeprozole", with nausea - "Cerucal". If a person is not sent to a hospital with a dropper, then he is prescribed a plentiful drink.

Do not postpone contacting a doctor in case of illness of young patients, even if the urge to vomit is infrequent. They need an urgent examination for pathogens of intestinal infections in order to avoid rapid dehydration. And before the ambulance arrives, you need to give your child a drink at an interval of ten minutes, 5 ml each.

Diet

Any intestinal infection requires a diet. Medicines are useless without special nutrition. Dishes are selected taking into account the severity of the disease, general recommendations and the category of excluded products. In case of exacerbation, soups, low-fat broths, cereals, fish, steamed omelettes, baked apples without peels, and inedible cookies are recommended.

Prohibited foods for diarrhea:

• milk and dairy products;
• dishes containing raw vegetables;
• fresh berries and fruits;
• fried, oily;
• hot (seasoning, onion, garlic);
• salted, smoked;
• canned food;
• alcohol.

To compensate for the lack of fluid in the body, dried fruit compotes, a weak broth of wild rose, still water are recommended. Milk should be excluded from the diet for a period of three months after recovery.

What should not be done if an infection is suspected

It happens that with suspected intestinal infection, people make independent attempts to improve their condition. But without research on the causative agent of intestinal infection, such treatment can be harmful or lead to complications.

Activities prohibited for infectious diseases:

• pain relief with painkillers: an altered state will complicate the study of carriage of intestinal pathogens and the development of a treatment program;
• the use of fastening drugs without a doctor's prescription: toxins continue to accumulate in the intestine, which threatens to exacerbate the condition, while diarrhea helps to cleanse the body;
• the use of a heating pad: heat enhances the growth of bacteria;
• the use of folk or homeopathic remedies: techniques are possible only as additional after consultation with a specialist.

The occurrence of any kind of infection during pregnancy poses a threat to the development of the fetus. Accumulations of toxins can become a prerequisite for spontaneous miscarriage. Danger of dehydration, in which the delivery of oxygen and nutrients is difficult. Often, fetal hypoxia occurs, which affects its further development.

Procrastination with a visit to a doctor in the presence of a virus, the causative agent of intestinal infections, can lead to death.

Prevention

The slightest signs of spoilage indicate a poor quality of the whole product. And not having confidence in the safety of food, it is better to throw it away. As a preventive measure, vaccinations and other measures are not provided. But it does not hurt to observe a number of measures for their own safety.

The list of preventive actions:

• remember hygiene;
• boil water and milk before use;
• wash hands with soap after going to the toilet;
• change towels more often;
• refuse to eat raw eggs, even poultry;
• thoroughly cook or process meat in another thermal way;
• control the expiration date of purchased products;
• wash greens well before eating;

• keep food in the refrigerator;
• do not give pure milk to an infant;
• maintain the cleanliness of the premises, do not accumulate garbage, which serves as a breeding ground for bacteria;
• if possible, monitor the humidity of the premises, which is favorable for the growth of bacteria;
• in case of illness, boil the dishes of an infected person;
• treat the patient's stool with a chlorine solution.

The highest activity of pathogens of intestinal infections in water and the environment is in the summer season. It is in the warm season that many people allow themselves to drink from open sources. As you know, tap water, which stood in the heat, is a hotbed of dangerous bacteria. Due to the high temperature, products such as meat and fish quickly become unusable, without changing their appearance.

Not everyone considers it necessary to fight insects. Not everyone knows that on the body of a fly there can be up to tens of millions of microorganisms that provoke serious diseases. Therefore, it is unacceptable for insects to crawl along the products.

In summer, a person drinks a lot of fluid, which, when ingested, dilutes the composition of enzymes and thereby reduces their protective functions. At the first symptoms of intoxication, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable. The study on the carriers of intestinal pathogens should be repeated three times to be sure that there are no dangerous microorganisms for the family, the work collective.

An analysis of the causative agents of intestinal infections is carried out forcibly:

• paramedics of maternity hospitals, children's, infectious diseases departments;
• personnel of preschool institutions, schools;
• nutrition workers;
• workers involved in the production and processing of products, packers, transporters, sellers.

The listed contingent submits analyzes according to the approved schedule from 2 to 4 times a year. When infection is confirmed, the study on the carriage of pathogens of intestinal infections can be expanded to the level of a general inspection of personnel at the request of the sanitary inspection authorities. In case of a dangerous epidemic, the powers of verification increase - up to the closure of the institution.

In this way, the source of infection, a bacteriocarrier, a person who has been ill and has remnants of infection in the body, an untreated patient can be identified. Unfair attitude to hygiene threatens the health of the person himself and those around him.