Enteric Infections
Introduction
General Information
Research Plans & Priorities
Introduction
Bacterial and viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to diarrheal disease. Many of these pathogens are transmitted through contaminated food or water. In the United States, diarrhea is the second most common infectious illness, accounting for one out of every six (16 percent) of all infectious diseases. Data compiled by the World Health Organization indicate that diarrheal diseases account for 15 to 34 percent of all deaths in certain countries. Conservative estimates place that death toll at 4 million to 6 million per year, with most of these occurring in children of preschool age, the elderly, and the immunocomprised, all of whom are at high risk.
This tremendous disease burden requires continued active research aimed at a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms employed by these organisms, more comprehensive and accurate surveillance, and better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent these diseases. DMID supports research in each of these areas.
In addition to diarrheal diseases, DMID supports research on Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that infects the stomach and can lead to ulcer disease and stomach cancer; on the potential microbial etiology of Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease; on the characterization and role of the normal intestinal flora in disease and disease prevention; on the use of probiotics to prevent or treat intestinal infections; and on emerging intestinal pathogens.
Research Plans and Priorities include:
- Develop and test safety and efficacy of new enteric bacterial and viral vaccines and treatment strategies
- Expand vaccine testing into international arenas where disease burden and consequent benefit to the public health may be greater
- Understand fully the natural history, pathogenesis, and host responses to infection by enteric pathogens
- Develop new or more sensitive and accurate diagnostic methods and reagents capable of identifying a greater percentage of the currently undiagnosed enteric infections
- Look for an infectious etiology of enteric diseases with no known cause
- Characterize and understand the role of the normal intestinal flora in disease and disease prevention
- Promote interagency collaborations, both national and international
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INTRAMURAL
Federally and Privately Supported Clinical Trials: clinicaltrials.gov
- Intramural Labs at NIAID
- International Tropical Medicine Research Units (ICIDR Program)
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