The etiology and clinical characteristics of bacterial intestinal infections in adult patients in the Republic of Adygeya

Abstract

Aim: To assess the structure of acute intestinal infections (AIIs) over the period of 2017–2021 and characterize the etiology and clinical course of bacterial AIIs in adult patients in the Republic of Adygeya. Patients and Methods: this retrospective cohort study used the following resources: 1) official statistical reports on viral and bacterial AIIs over the period of 2017–2021 in the Republic of Adygeya to assess trends in the morbidity rates and 2) medical records of 50 patients with bacterial AIIs who received treatment in 2020–2021 in the Adygeya Republican Infectious Diseases Hospital to identify clinical and laboratory findings associated with the bacterial causes of diarrhea. A complete blood cell count, biochemistry blood test, stool analysis and stool culture test were performed in the studied patients. First, the stool samples were inoculated onto an enrichment medium, and then elective nutrient media were used for the detection of pathogens. Results: over the last five years, 4,474 AII cases were reported in the Republic, and in 3,317 (74.14%) of them the etiology was not determined. In 2017–2019, bowel infections of viral etiology prevailed in the structure of AIIs. In 2020 and 2021, amid a significant decline in AII morbidity rates, the percentage of viral and bacterial AIIs was similar: 7.14% and 7.71% in 2020 and 1.11% and 3.05% in 2021, respectively. The median age of patients with verified AIIs of bacterial etiology was 34.5 years, most of the patients were females. Salmonellosis caused by Salmonella entеritidis constituted the highest percentage of bacterial AIIs. Most of the patients had moderate illnesses with enterocolitis symptoms and prevailing secretory diarrhea. Conclusion: over the last five years, 4,474 AII cases were reported in the Republic of Adygeya, and in most patients the etiology was not determined. In 2020 and 2021, amid a significant decline in AII morbidity rates, the percentage of viral and bacterial AIIs was similar. Salmonellosis was dominating in the structure of AIIs (moderate illnesses with enterocolitis symptoms and prevailing secretory diarrhea). Biochemistry tests are necessary for patients with bacterial AIIs to identify pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the development of post- infectious disease syndrome and gastrointestinal diseases. KEYWORDS: acute intestinal infections, bacterial intestinal infections, etiology, post-infectious disease syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal diseases. FOR CITATION: Tlyustangelova R.K., Pshenichnaya N.Yu., Khaidarov S.S. The etiology and clinical characteristics of bacterial intestinal infections in adult patients in the Republic of Adygeya. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2022;6(11):608–611 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821- 2022-6-11-608-611.