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Traveler's Hidden Threat: Do You Know What Bacteria Are Most Commonly Caused by Travellers' Diarrhea?
Traveler's diarrhea is a problem that troubles many travelers. According to statistics, about 20% to 50% of travelers will experience this discomfort during their journey. Recent research shows that Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) has become one of the main bacteria causing this condition. This type of bacteria not only affects healthy people, but also poses greater health risks in developing countries.
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is a pathogen that causes acute and chronic diarrhea with a global impact and is particularly common in travelers.
EAEC are characterized by their attachment to human epithelial cells in a "stacked brick" manner, thereby causing intestinal complications. The way this bacteria collects in the gut makes it more difficult to clear, so the risk of infection increases significantly when traveling, especially to places with poor hygiene.
The pathological mechanism of EAEC
EAEC is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, and contamination of food and water sources is the main infection channel. Symptoms caused by this bacteria include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases, blood in the stool and kidney failure, especially in people with weakened immune systems or children.
The pathological mechanism of EAEC can be divided into three stages: intestinal attachment, increase in mucus, and triggering inflammatory response.
Common symptoms and sources of infection
The incubation period of EAEC infection is usually between 8 and 52 hours, and the main symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Watery diarrhea
- Nausea and Vomiting
- In some cases, children may have bloody stools
Common sources of infection include:
- Polluted water, especially ground or groundwater contaminated by domestic sewage
- Contaminated food, such as unheated meat and produce
- Improperly handled food, or cross-contaminationZ
- Direct contact between people, especially if hygiene practices are poor
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of EAEC usually requires stool culture to identify the pathogen, but this process may take days or even weeks, so more rapid detection technologies are now available, such as genetic testing and molecular diagnosis.
For EAEC infection, the use of antibiotics still depends on the condition. In mild cases, it is usually recommended to rest and replenish fluids.
Certain antibiotics such as azithromycin or ciprofloxacin may be more effective in treating EAEC infections, but because EAEC strains have become resistant, antibiotic use needs to be carefully evaluated.
Historical background and global impact
EAEC was first discovered in 1987, and since then it has gained global attention, especially in developing countries, which are more susceptible due to poor sanitary conditions. The 2011 epidemic in Germany attracted more attention to the EAEC.
EAEC is considered the second most common cause of traveler's diarrhea. As travel becomes more frequent, understanding the dangers of this bacterium has become an urgent need.
So, as travelers, how can we protect ourselves and others while traveling and avoid falling victim to this invisible threat?
