PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS

Predisposing Factors
Age Elderly and
Preschool Age

Predisposing Factors
Improper handwashing
Drinking unsafe water
Ingestion of contaminated foods

Ingestion of foods or fluids contaminated

with E. histolytica bacteria

Bacteria enters the stomach and survive

a pH as low as 1.5

Bacteria invades the Payers patches of the

intestinal wall in the small intestine where it attach
(incubation period of 7-14 days after ingestion)

Bacteria will then inject toxins known as effector proteins

into the intestinal cell an interupts with the cellular
proteins and lipids and manipulate their functionresulting
in phagocytization of the epithelial cell membrane until it
is engulfed down into host cells

Affects the vomit receptor

Vomiting center in the brain

is stimuted

Perforation and destruction of

mucosal lining of the intestinal wall

Macrophages and intestinal epithelial

cells then attract T cells and neutrophils
with interleukin 8 which is responsible for
the inflammation of the intestinal wall

Superficial ulceration of mucosa

Abdominal spasm to limit injury

Abdominal
cramps

Blood and
mucus in stool

The bacteria survives within the

macrophages and travels throughout the
body via lymphatic spread

The bacteria inside the macrophage

induces apoptosis, breaking out into the
bloodstream and cause systemic
infection

Abdominal
pain

Diarrhea

Abdominal
cramps and
general body
weakness

Fluids and electrolytes loss

Access to systemic circulationcould

affect other body part which could
possibly cause Typhoid Fever and
Septicemia Meningitis

Dehydration

Increased cellular metabolism due

to the underlying injury to the GIT

Hyperthermia which induces

excretion of intestinal fluids