Combatting infectious diarrhea: innovations in treatment and vaccination strategies

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The escalating prevalence of infectious diseases is an important cause of concern in society. Particularly in several developing countries, infectious diarrhea poses a major problem, with a high fatality rate, especially among young children. The condition is divided into four classes, namely, acute diarrhea, invasive diarrhea, acute bloody diarrhea, and chronic diarrhea. Various pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and helminths, contribute to the onset of this condition.

Areas covered

The review discusses the scenario of infectious diarrhea, the prevalent types, as well as approaches to management including preventive, therapeutic, and vaccination strategies. The vaccination techniques are extensively discussed including the available vaccines, their advantages as well as limitations.

Expert opinion

There are several approaches available to develop new-improved vaccines. In addition, route of immunization is important and aerosols/nasal sprays, oral route, skin patches, powders, and liquid jets to minimize needles can be used. Plant-based vaccines, such as rice, might save packing and refrigeration costs by being long-lasting, non-refrigerable, and immunogenic. Future research should utilize predetermined PCR testing intervals and symptom monitoring to identify persistent pathogens after therapy and symptom remission.

KEYWORDS:

• Infectious diarrhea
• invasive
• vaccination
• vaccine
• therapeutic approaches
• enteric pathogens
• cholera toxin

Article highlights

• Infectious diarrhea accounts for approximately 1.8 billion cases every year among children, which is caused by pathogenic, bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and helminths.

• There are four types of infectious diarrhea, acute diarrhea, acute bloody diarrhea, invasive diarrhea, and chronic diarrhea.

• Chronic diarrhea is identified as the most prevalent health concern.

• The pathogenesis mechanism varies with the pathogen’s nature. Enteric pathogens disrupt tight junctions, affecting ion transport and barrier function. Inflammation, neuropeptides, or absorptive surface depletion may also contribute.

• Diarrhea management in hospitals lacks consistency. Key strategies involve rehydration, electrolyte replacement, probiotics, diarrhea management algorithms, anti-diarrheal medications and.

• Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, two approved rotavirus vaccines, have been in use since 2006 and have significantly decreased the rate of rotavirus infections.

Acknowledgments

The authors want to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor, VIT University, Vellore, for his constant encouragement.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or material discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or mending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.