Traveler's diarrhea: Difference between revisions
 
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==Background==
==Background==
*Most respond to antibiotics
*A diarrheal syndrome which may be caused by a variety of intestinal pathogens contracted while traveling, particularly in low-income countries
*As duration of diarrhea increases, higher chance of parasitic cause
Bacteria account for a majority of cases, but traveler's diarrhea may also be caused by parasites or viruses.
**Is the most common [[travel-associated disease]]
**Greatest contributor to illness poor hygiene in restaurants <ref> http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/travelers-diarrhea</ref>
*Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by bacterial enteropathogens, whereas bacterial pathogens cause less than 15% of endemic diarrhea cases in adults living in their home country<ref name="Steffen">Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006</ref>
*Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by bacterial enteropathogens, whereas bacterial pathogens cause less than 15% of endemic diarrhea cases in adults living in their home country<ref name="Steffen">Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006</ref>
**Most cases respond to antibiotics (as opposed to non-traveler's [[acute gastroenteritis]], which is most commonly caused by viruses)
**As duration of diarrhea increases, higher chance of parasitic cause
*At risk populations- Immunosuppressed, diabetes, taking meds to suppress acid production
*At risk populations- Immunosuppressed, diabetes, taking meds to suppress acid production
*Greatest contributor to illness poor hygiene in restaurants <ref> http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/travelers-diarrhea</ref>


===Etiology<ref name="Steffen"></ref>===
===Etiology<ref name="Steffen"></ref>===
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==Clinical Features<ref name="Steffen"></ref>==
==Clinical Features==
Characterized by the following:<ref name="Steffen"></ref>
*Travel
*Travel
*3 or more unformed stools per 24 hours
*3 or more unformed stools per 24 hours
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**Fecal urgency
**Fecal urgency


;The average duration of untreated traveler’s diarrhea is 4 to 5 days
;The average duration of untreated traveler’s diarrhea is 4 to 5 days<ref name="Steffen"></ref>


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Template:Diarrhea DDX}}
{{Diarrhea DDX}}


==Evaluation<ref name="Steffen"></ref>==
==Evaluation==
''Diagnosis is typically made clinically''
===Uncomplicated Diarrhea===
===Uncomplicated Diarrhea===
*No workup
*No workup<ref name="Steffen"></ref>


===Fever, Bloody Stools, or Ill Appearing===
===Fever, Bloody Stools, or Ill Appearing===
*Stool culture  
*Stool culture <ref name="Steffen"></ref>
*Systemic toxicity
*Systemic toxicity
**Extended workup including blood cultures
**Extended workup including blood cultures
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*Typically not done in the ER (at follow-up)
*Typically not done in the ER (at follow-up)
**Stool culture (including [[Salmonella]], [[Shigella]], and [[Campylobacter]])
**Stool culture (including [[Salmonella]], [[Shigella]], and [[Campylobacter]])
**Stool O&P (including testing for protozoal parasites, [[Giardia]], [[Cryptosporidium]])
**Stool O&P (including testing for protozoal parasites, [[Giardia]], [[Cryptosporidium]])<ref name="Steffen"></ref>
**Fecal leukocytes, giardia antigen, C. difficile PCR
**Fecal leukocytes, giardia antigen, C. difficile PCR


==Management==
==Management==
*Consider [[ondansteron]] if [[nausea]]
===Supportive Care===
*PO hydration and consider [[oral rehydration fluids]]
*Consider [[ondansetron]] if concurrent nausea/vomiting
*[[Bismuth subsalicylate]] (Pepto Bismol) ~524 mg every 30 to 60 minutes or 1,050 mg every 60 minutes as needed (maximum: ~4,200 mg/24 hours)<ref>Brum, et al. Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Assessment of the Clinical Efficacy of Bismuth Subsalicylate for Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diarrhea. Dig Dis Sci. 2021; 66(7): 2323–2335. doi: 10.1007/s10620-020-06509-7</ref>
*Consider [[IVF]] if dehydrated
*Consider [[IVF]] if dehydrated
*Consider [[loperamide]] 4mg PO after each loose stool (Max: 16mg/day)<ref name="Steffen"></ref>
*Consider [[loperamide]] 4mg PO followed by 2mg after each loose stool (Max: 16mg/day)<ref name="Steffen"></ref>
**If very frequent stools and no contra-indication:
**If very frequent stools and no contra-indication:
***Not pregnant
***Not pregnant
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==External Links==
==External Links==
[http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea CDC - Travelers Diarrhea]
*[http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea CDC - Travelers Diarrhea]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:Tropical Medicine]]
[[Category:Tropical Medicine]]
==See Also==
==External Links==
==References==
<references/>

Latest revision as of 16:42, 29 January 2025

Background

  • A diarrheal syndrome which may be caused by a variety of intestinal pathogens contracted while traveling, particularly in low-income countries

Bacteria account for a majority of cases, but traveler's diarrhea may also be caused by parasites or viruses.

  • Most cases of traveler’s diarrhea are caused by bacterial enteropathogens, whereas bacterial pathogens cause less than 15% of endemic diarrhea cases in adults living in their home country[2]
    • Most cases respond to antibiotics (as opposed to non-traveler's acute gastroenteritis, which is most commonly caused by viruses)
    • As duration of diarrhea increases, higher chance of parasitic cause
  • At risk populations- Immunosuppressed, diabetes, taking meds to suppress acid production

Etiology[2]

Organism Latin America and Caribbean Africa South Asia Southeast Asia
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ≥35 25-35 15-25 5-15
Enteroaggregative E coli 25-35 <5 15-25 No data
Campylobacter <5 <5 15-25 25-35
Salmonella <5 5-15 <5 5-15
Shigella 5-15 5-15 5-15 <5
Norovirus 15-25 15-25 5-15 <5
Rotavirus 15-25 5-15 5-15 <5
Giardia <5 <5 5-15 5-15

Clinical Features

Characterized by the following:[2]

  • Travel
  • 3 or more unformed stools per 24 hours
  • Plus (at least 1 of the following):
The average duration of untreated traveler’s diarrhea is 4 to 5 days[2]

Differential Diagnosis

Acute diarrhea

Infectious

Noninfectious

Watery Diarrhea

Traveler's Diarrhea

Evaluation

Diagnosis is typically made clinically

Uncomplicated Diarrhea

Fever, Bloody Stools, or Ill Appearing

  • Stool culture [2]
  • Systemic toxicity
    • Extended workup including blood cultures

Persistent or Refractory Diarrhea (>14 days)

Management

Supportive Care

  • PO hydration and consider oral rehydration fluids
  • Consider ondansetron if concurrent nausea/vomiting
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) ~524 mg every 30 to 60 minutes or 1,050 mg every 60 minutes as needed (maximum: ~4,200 mg/24 hours)[4]
  • Consider IVF if dehydrated
  • Consider loperamide 4mg PO followed by 2mg after each loose stool (Max: 16mg/day)[2]
    • If very frequent stools and no contra-indication:
      • Not pregnant
      • >2 years old
      • Fever or bloody stools without concomitant antibiotics (do not use as sole therapy)

Antibiotics[2]

Pediatrics

Antibiotic Options:

Avoid fluroquinolones

Disposition

  • Outpatient for the vast majority
  • Consider admission if systemic toxicity

Complications

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/travelers-diarrhea
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006
  3. ↑ Marx et al. “Cholera and Gastroenteritis caused by Noncholera Vibrio Species”. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine 8th edition vol 1 pg 1245-1246.
  4. ↑ Brum, et al. Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Assessment of the Clinical Efficacy of Bismuth Subsalicylate for Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diarrhea. Dig Dis Sci. 2021; 66(7): 2323–2335. doi: 10.1007/s10620-020-06509-7
  5. ↑ Hoge CW. et al. Trends in antibiotic resistance among diarrheal pathogens isolated in Thailand over 15 years. Clin Infect Dis. 1998;26:341–5
  6. ↑ Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006
  7. ↑ Sanders JW. et al. An observational clinic-based study of diarrheal illness in deployed United States military personnel in Thailand: presentation and outcome of Campylobacter infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2002;67:533–8
  8. ↑ Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006
  9. ↑ Steffen R, et al. Traveler’s Diarrhea: A Clinical Review. JAMA. 2015;313(1):71-80. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17006
  10. ↑ DuPont HL. et al. Rifaximin versus ciprofloxacin for the treatment of traveler’s diarrhea: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:1807–15
  11. ↑ Stauffer WM, Konop RJ, Kamat D. Traveling with infants and young children. Part III: travelers’ diarrhea. J Travel Med. 2002;9:141–50


See Also

External Links

References

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