Post-Infectious Sequelae of Travelers’ Diarrhea: Reactive Arthritis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract Purpose of review Although travelers’ diarrhea is a self-limited illness in most persons, it can be associated with post-infectious sequelae, which can be prolonged and disabling. In some individuals, a bout of travelers’ diarrhea leads to persistent gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, episodic abdominal pain and bloating, constipation or dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux. Recent findings Post-infectious symptoms removed from the gastrointestinal tract are also seen, for example, reactive arthritis, which develops shortly after the enteric infection has occurred. Neurologic sequelae of travelers’ diarrhea, most commonly Guillain-Barré syndrome, are associated with enteric microbial pathogens, most notably Campylobacter jejuni. Summary With an increasing recognition of post-infectious sequelae, attention to prevention and treatment of travelers’ diarrhea has taken on a new urgency.
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research