Bacterial Colitis

The pathogenesis of bacterial enteritis is complex; pathogens adhere to intestinal mucosal epithelial cells via pili, enabling bacterial growth and reproduction in the intestinal wall as a prerequisite for disease. Pathogens of bacterial enteritis are divided into enterotoxigenic and invasive types. Different pathogens cause enteritis with different mechanisms and clinical manifestations.

Common Symptoms

Fever of unknown origin; diarrhea; bloody purulent stool; tenesmus; incomplete evacuation sensation; mucoid stool

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology of bacterial enteritis: Pathogens are divided into enterotoxigenic and invasive types. Enterotoxigenic bacterial enteritis: As in cholera, the mechanism is that pathogens adhere to but do not invade the intestinal mucosa; during growth they secrete enterotoxin that binds to receptors on the small intestinal epithelial membrane, activating adenylate cyclase on the cell membrane, which catalyzes conversion of intracellular ATP to cAMP. When intracellular cAMP rises, a series of enzymatic reactions cause the small intestinal mucosa to secrete large amounts of water and electrolytes that accumulate in the intestinal lumen, causing watery diarrhea called secretory diarrhea. Apart from hypersecretion by small intestinal epithelial cells, intestinal pathological changes are often absent or mild. Invasive bacterial enteritis: As in bacillary dysentery, pathogens adhere to and invade the intestinal mucosa and submucosa, causing marked inflammation. Different pathogens invade different intestinal sites: some mainly affect the small intestine, some the colon, and some cause both small intestinal and colonic inflammation.

Treatment

Drug therapy, symptomatic treatment, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

1. Maintain environmental hygiene, strengthen toilet and feces management, eliminate fly breeding sites. 2. Strengthen dietary hygiene and water source management, especially hygiene supervision of food vendors. 3. Cooks and childcare workers should undergo regular stool examinations and bacterial cultures. 4. Strengthen health education: everyone should wash hands before meals and after using the toilet, not drink raw water, not eat spoiled or rotten food, and not eat food touched by flies. 5. Avoid overeating to prevent reduced gastrointestinal resistance.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Gastroenterology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.