Infections

The gastrointestinal tract is often involved in infectious diseases, either primarily in gastrointestinal infections or secondarily in infectious diseases of other organ systems, as well as systemic infections. Acute infectious diarrhea and other foodborne illnesses caused by various bacteria, viruses, or parasites are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Owing to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, Clostridioides difficile has become one of the most frequent causes of diarrhea. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which results from the germination of C. difficile spores on disrupted intestinal microbiota, can be caused by nearly all antibiotics. Acute gastrointestinal infections are associated with an increased risk of chronic gastrointestinal disorders, including postinfectious enteropathy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some chronic infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B and C, can also cause severe gastrointestinal involvement, including the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment of these numerous and complex gastrointestinal infections and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract requires the careful selection of optimal drugs, taking drug interactions that may adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract into consideration.