Enteric Bacteria Associated with Human Gastroenteritis: A Review

Gastrointestinal infections are responsible for a high rate of morbidity in the world with higher incidence in the developing countries. A broad spectrum of microorganisms may be responsible for the infection and present in common the same clinical manifestations being the most common symptoms diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, malaise, anorexia and dehydration at different levels of severity. The family Entero bacteriaceae comprises a large group of Gram-negative non-spore forming bacteria typically 1-5 µm in length. Some members of the family such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter are associated gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is due excessive secretion of fluids in the proximal small intestine induced by the action of luminal toxins expressed by entero-pathogens, inflammatory of colonic mucosa or through penetration of the bacterium through the mucosa to the reticulo-endothelial system. The paper review the enteric bacteria associated with human gastroenteritis.

Keywords: Gastroenteritis, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli