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Emergency Medicine199 papers

Bacterial enteritis of intestine

Last edited: 4/16/2026

Overview

Bacterial enteritis involves inflammation of the intestinal mucosa caused by pathogenic bacteria, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potential dehydration 1.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical symptoms including watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
  • Stool cultures to identify specific bacterial pathogens.
  • Stool toxin assays for enterotoxigenic strains (e.g., enterotoxin B testing) 1.

    • Management

  • First-line treatments: Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) to prevent dehydration.
  • Antibiotics: Consider in severe cases or specific pathogens; no specific dose mentioned in provided abstracts.
  • Adjunctive measures: Symptomatic relief with antidiarrheal agents like loperamide (use cautiously to avoid complications) 1.

    • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Focus on maintaining hydration with ORT; antibiotic use should be individualized based on pathogen and severity 1.
  • Pediatrics: Prioritize ORT and close monitoring for signs of dehydration; avoid unnecessary antibiotics 1.
  • Elderly: Increased vigilance for complications; ORT and supportive care are crucial 1.
  • Comorbidities: Tailor management based on underlying conditions; close monitoring for systemic effects is essential 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Use oral rehydration therapy (ORT) as the primary treatment to prevent dehydration in patients with bacterial enteritis (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Consider stool cultures and toxin assays for accurate diagnosis and guiding targeted therapy (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • Individualize antibiotic use based on clinical severity and pathogen identification, avoiding routine use in mild cases (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).

    • References

    1 Raj HD, Bergdoll MS. Effect of enterotoxin B on human volunteers. Journal of bacteriology 1969. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Effect of enterotoxin B on human volunteers. — Raj HD, Bergdoll MS Journal of bacteriology (1969)
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