Pathophysiology of Gastroenteritis

VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS

Incubation Mechanism
Name of virus period

Astrovirus Symptoms The pathogenesis of Astrovirus has

usually not yet been well established. It has
appear 3 been suggested that viral replication
4 days after occur in the intestinal tissue.
exposure

Calicivirus Symptoms The mechanism diarrhea is produced

(Norovirus is the usually is unknown. The epithelial remains
most common appear 1 intact.
calicivirus that 2 days after
causes viral exposure
gastroenteritis)

Rotavirus Symptoms Symptoms: Rotavirus typically

usually infects children 3 to 15 months old.
appear 1 Symptoms include watery diarrhea
3 days after with vomiting with fever and
exposure abdominal pain symptoms usually
last for 3 7 days. It can also affect
adults but the symptoms are usually
milder.
Mechanism of action:
Rotavirus infects the mature
enterocytes on the tips of small
intestine villi. The mechanism that
induces the production of diarrhea is
not well understood.

The current knowledge on the mechanisms

leading to diarrheal disease by rotavirus is as
follows:

Rotavirus infections induce

maldigestion of carbohydrates, and
their accumulation in the intestinal
lumen, as well as a malabsorption of
nutrients and a concomitant inhibition
of water reabsorption, can lead to a
malabsorption component of diarrhea.

Rotavirus secretes an enterotoxin,

NSP4, which leads to a Ca 2+
-dependent Cl- secretory mechanism.
 increases fluid secretion

It appears to be related to the

secretory capacity of the crypt
cells.
It causes a loss of permeability
to macromolecules. The virus
also induces the intestine to
secrete water and electrolyte.

Enteric Adenovirus Symptoms Mechanism of action:

usually Induces gastroenteritis in a similar
appear 8 manner to rotavirus.
10 days
after
exposure

BACTERIA GASTROENTERITIS
Some bacteria will enter the gastrointestinal tract and attach to the
lining(intestinal mucosa) where it will begin to secrete toxins(enterotoxins).
Other bacteria may invade the mucosal cells leading to ulceration and bleeding.
Bacterial toxins that are present in foods (exotoxins)

Type of bacteria
-Campylobacter jejuni
-Shigella
-Salmonella
-Staphylococcus
-E coli
GLOSSARY
1. enterocytes
- a cell of the intestinal lining
2. enterotoxin
- a toxin produced in or affecting the intestines
QUESTION
1. Which of the following are not virus causing gastroenteritis?
A. Salmonella
B. Astrovirus
C. Enteric Adenovirus
D. Calicivirus

2. Outline the mechanism of Rotavirus causing gastroenteritis.

To know more about Ca 2+ -dependent Cl- secretory mechanism go to the website

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26122478