Articles tagged with Diarrhea
A new study found that sanitation access is crucial for children's growth and health, with households having access to toilets or latrines seeing improved stunting, anemia, and diarrhea rates. Increasing community-level sanitation access can also have a significant impact on child health.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases study finds that diarrhoea is the fourth leading cause of death for children under 5, with 42% of deaths occurring in India and Nigeria. The researchers call for immediate and sustained actions to increase healthcare access and the use of oral rehydration solutions.
Trichomonosis is a common infectious cause of large bowel diarrhea in cats, characterized by 'cow pie' consistency and mucus/blood in faeces. The infection is caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus, which can be transmitted from cat to cat via the faecal-oral route.
A genetic mutation in the CTLA-4 protein led to chronic autoimmune enteritis, causing severe diarrhea and weight loss. Researchers developed a treatment using monoclonal antibodies to block T-cell adhesion, resulting in complete remission after three months.
Genetic defects in sucrase-isomaltase gene variants are associated with an increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome. The study found that rare mutations were twice more common among IBS cases than healthy controls, and a common variant with reduced enzymatic activity was also linked to increased risk.
The study highlights progress in reducing child deaths globally, particularly from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and measles. However, progress on newborn deaths has been slower, resulting in an increase in newborn deaths as a proportion of total child deaths.
A new global report calls for a 5-step plan to improve hygiene practices and reduce the burden of infectious diseases in children worldwide. The report aims to halve the incidence of diarrhoea and reduce common infections such as gastroenteritis, colds, and influenza in babies and children.
A new study revises the understanding of childhood diarrhea's causes, finding nearly 90% of cases are linked to pathogens. The research provides a roadmap for developing vaccines and treatments for six top causes, aiming to reduce deaths by 70 percent annually.
A study in rural India shows that informal healthcare providers can improve their skills with modest levels of medical training, leading to better case management and reduced errors. The training program, which consisted of 150 hours over nine months, increased the providers' ability to develop checklists and make accurate diagnoses.
A large-scale study by Duke University researchers found that India's World Health Partners (WHP) Sky program had no impact on improving healthcare for children with diarrhea and pneumonia. Despite its $23 million funding, the program failed to increase access to proper treatment or change healthcare utilization patterns.
A study in Kenya found that a simple voucher system can significantly reduce health product wastage without a significant decrease in usage. The system was more effective than charging money or free distribution in screening out those who would not use the products.
The DHAKA score is a four-symptom assessment tool that predicts dehydration severity in children under age five with high accuracy. A new study validates the tool's performance in identifying moderate to severe dehydration, outperforming the current standard IMCI guidelines.
A recent study estimates the financial burden of acute gastrointestinal illnesses on the Swiss healthcare system, which costs between €29-€45 million annually. The most commonly reported cause of foodborne disease in Switzerland is Campylobacter infections, generating estimated EUR 8 million annual costs.
A new study suggests that eating low-FODMAP rye bread may help alleviate IBS symptoms. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome can benefit from increasing their fiber intake through modified foods like rye bread.
A new PCR multiplex method makes lab testing more effective for diagnosing persistent diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine treatment, as antimicrobial therapy can be useful but only for those who test negative for a pathogen.
The study found that sharing sanitation facilities with one or two households was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea in young children. Private household sanitation facilities were not found to be associated with this risk at all sites, suggesting a global health priority for access to these facilities.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from Clostridium difficile, revealing that zinc is required to unleash its damaging effects. This discovery aids efforts to develop vaccines and other novel therapies to prevent fatal consequences of C. diff infection.
A recent study published in Microbiome found that controlling the levels of specific gut bacteria, such as Escherichia, may help prevent severe diarrhea. The research, led by Michigan State University, discovered that patients with certain microbial community profiles had more severe disease.
A new study found that simple changes to oral rehydration salt (ORS) packaging designs increased caregivers' willingness to provide treatment to their children. The new packaging features smaller sachets, brighter pictures, and added flavor to make ORS more acceptable to infants.
Partnerships between multinational companies and child health programs can improve treatment rates and access to life-saving treatments, but also pose an ethical minefield. Critics argue that these connections can legitimize the sale of unhealthy products while diverting resources from public health measures.
A new study found that orange sweet potato reduced the prevalence and duration of diarrhea in young children in Mozambique. The OSP provided more vitamin A, which helped form a barrier against invading germs.
Research by Adam C. Levine found that arm circumference is a more accurate predictor of under-nutrition in children with diarrhea than traditional weight-based measures. This method is particularly useful in resource-limited settings where dehydration does not significantly affect the child's weight, but can impact their overall health.
A new 'flocked swab' tool improved diagnosis and treatment of deadly childhood diarrheal diseases, saving lives by pinpointing treatable pathogens. The innovative test-and-treat strategy led to significant health improvements, including reduced diarrhea recurrence and increased growth in children.
Researchers investigated parents' attitudes towards illness and decisions on sending children to daycare with respiratory tract infections. The study found that parents often view coughs and colds as less serious and contagious than other illnesses.
A Duke University study found that rural Indian healthcare providers frequently misdiagnose and mistreat childhood diarrhea and pneumonia. The study revealed that even providers with formal medical training were likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics or other potentially harmful drugs.
A Finnish study found that travelers who used antibiotics to treat diarrhea were more likely to carry drug-resistant intestinal bacteria, such as ESBL, upon return. Carriers can spread the bacteria to others, even without symptoms.
A study found that taking antibiotics for diarrhea while traveling increases the risk of colonizing drug-resistant bacteria, such as ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Travelers returning home with these bacteria can unknowingly spread them to their own countries, posing a serious public health threat.
A systematic review of controlled trials involving adults and children found that diarrhea was over three times as likely in people taking amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, while candidiasis was also associated with the use of this antibiotic combination. The study highlights under-reporting of harms in clinical trials.
A live attenuated ETEC vaccine candidate given with a novel adjuvant provided significant protection against disease, with a 58.5% efficacy rate against diarrhea of any severity. The vaccine also showed protective efficacy of 65.9% against severe ETEC diarrhea.
A pilot study testing a new type of drug for patients with chronic diarrhoea found that the drug obeticholic acid showed promising effects on reducing symptoms. The treatment was generally well tolerated and improved symptoms in primary BAD patients and some secondary BAD patients, but not those with other causes of chronic diarrhoea.
A study found that oral administration of frozen encapsulated fecal material from unrelated donors resulted in a high resolution rate of 90% for recurrent C. diff infection patients. The treatment eliminated diarrhea in 70% of patients and improved self-reported health ratings.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that widespread sanitation programs did not reduce diarrheal diseases, parasitic worm infections, or child malnutrition. Despite providing access to latrines, the intervention failed to improve health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research into its effectiveness.
A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that child mortality rates have decreased globally, but complications from preterm birth and pneumonia remain major causes of death. The largest burden of child mortality is in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly half of deaths occur.
Researchers discovered microorganisms that trigger diarrheal disease and others that may prevent its onset. The study found associations with several organisms, including Streptococcus and Granulicatella, which correlated with severe diarrhea in young children in developing countries.
Norovirus infections contribute substantially to the global burden of acute gastroenteritis, causing both severe and mild cases across all age groups. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through contaminated food or water and contact with surfaces.
A new pilot study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that using frozen stool from healthy, unrelated donors was safe and effective in treating patients with relapsing diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile. The treatment was equally effective whether given via a colonoscope or a nasogastric tube.
A new study from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine found that long-term survivors of esophagectomy with gastric pull-up can enjoy a satisfying meal and good quality of life. The study concluded that pessimism about the long-term quality of life after esophagectomy is unwarranted.
Researchers identify Chinese strain as origin of emerging US swine virus with high mortality rates, emphasizing the need for strict biosecurity and sanitation procedures on farms. The study found that the US strains share 99.5% of their genetic code with their Chinese counterpart, indicating a possible evolutionary origin from bats.
Early research shows that an investigational norovirus vaccine can reduce the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea, by 52 percent. The vaccine targets two common genotypes of norovirus and appears to be well-tolerated.
A Mayo-led study has found that sulfasalazine, a commonly prescribed medication for inflammatory bowel disease, fails to reduce diarrhea in patients receiving radiation therapy. The study suggests that the medication may actually increase the risk of diarrhea when used during pelvic radiation therapy.
A multi-institutional study found that sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea in patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy, and may even increase the risk. The study, which enrolled 87 patients, used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of sulfasalazine versus placebo.
A study found that piglets receive maternal IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against Cystoisospora suis in the colostrum, which decline after two weeks. High levels of these antibodies are associated with reduced severity of neonatal diarrhoea.
A large trial of nearly 3000 participants found that probiotic supplements did not reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The study also showed no difference in the frequency and severity of diarrhea between those who received probiotics and those who took a placebo.
The Center for World Health and Medicine is studying anti-secretory drugs to prevent dehydration in children with diarrheal disease. The goal is to develop effective and inexpensive treatment options for developing countries where access to rehydration therapy is limited.
A new oral vaccine against ETEC has been developed and shown to be safe and highly immunogenic in a phase I study, inducing immune responses in all volunteers. The vaccine is designed to protect travelers and children living in areas endemic for ETEC.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center found that nearly three-fourths of pregnant women experience constipation, diarrhea, or other bowel disorders. Despite this, the study reveals that these issues have only a slight effect on quality of life.
Researchers found that ibodutant significantly improved symptoms in over 50% of individuals with IBS-D, while an investigational therapy achieved high response rates in patients with hepatitis C. The studies' findings hold promise for patients who have struggled with current treatments.
A global expert group recommends increased focus on implementing known interventions to combat childhood diarrheal diseases. Oral rehydration solutions and zinc supplementation are also emphasized for further research development. The report aims to inform Global Action Plan for Diarrhoea and Pneumonia efforts.
A new international study has pinpointed the main causes of childhood diarrheal diseases, identifying rotavirus as the leading cause among infants. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study found that targeting just four pathogens could prevent most cases and save hundreds of thousands of lives through vaccines and treatments.
Research suggests that targeting four specific pathogens, including rotavirus and ETEC, could reduce diarrheal deaths in children by up to 40%. The study found that malnutrition is a major risk factor for severe diarrhea, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have created a first-ever vaccine against Clostridium bolteae, a gut bug common in autistic children. The vaccine may help control some autism symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea.
A new Lancet Series provides evidence for treating and preventing diarrhoea and pneumonia, with interventions like vaccination and zinc supplementation potentially saving millions of lives. Modest further investment could eliminate diarrhoea deaths in just over a decade.
A study found that Spanish nurses with training in acute health problems of low complexity provided care of comparable quality to general practitioners. Nurses successfully solved 86.3% of cases, including burns and injuries, but struggled with low back pain and mild respiratory symptoms.
A new study on monkeys with chronic diarrhea treated with microscopic parasite worm eggs has shown that helminths can restore the balance of gut bacterial communities, which are often disrupted in inflammatory bowel diseases. The treatment improved symptoms and allowed four out of five monkeys to gain weight and reduce their diarrhea.
Researchers found that tricyclic antidepressants may help manage abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with IBD, while mesalamine granules improved symptoms in those with IBS-D. This study suggests a possible link between GI tract inflammation and IBS symptoms.
A recent study suggests that fecal microbiota therapy may help pediatric patients with recurrent C. diff. diarrhea, while another study highlights the increased risk of health complications in hospitalized children with CDI, including longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates.
Researchers at Henry Ford Health found a novel therapy that uses donated human stool to treat C.diff infection safe and highly effective, with 43 of 49 patients recovering swiftly. The treatment involves administering the stool mixture through a nasogastric tube or colonscopy.
Research from the University of East Anglia shows that nearly half of UK private water supplies are contaminated, putting under-10s at almost five times higher risk of stomach infections. Children in these households suffer around five bouts of sickness or diarrhoea per year, a rate similar to developing countries.
A hospital-based surveillance study found that infections with nontyphoidal Salmonella and Shigella increased the risk of death in children hospitalized with diarrhea in rural Kenya. The study highlights the importance of using zinc for diarrhea management, promoting oral rehydration solutions, water sanitation, and hygiene interventions.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered genetic differences between two Cryptosporidium parasite species. This breakthrough enables the development of a new gold standard test to quickly distinguish between the two species, allowing for earlier detection of outbreaks and tracing of their source.