Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Acute Diarrheal Infections in Adults
Publication Date: May 1, 2016
Last Updated: March 14, 2022
Epidemiology and public health considerations
Diagnostic evaluation using stool culture and culture-independent methods if available should be used in situations where the individual patient is at high risk of spreading disease to others, and during known or suspected outbreaks. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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Diagnosis
Stool diagnostic studies may be used if available in cases of dysentery, moderate-to-severe disease, and symptoms lasting >7 days to clarify the etiology of the patient’s illness and enable specific directed therapy. (Strong “We recommend”Very low)
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Traditional methods of diagnosis (bacterial culture, microscopy with and without special stains and immunofluorescence, and antigen testing) fail to reveal the etiology of the majority of cases of acute diarrheal infection. If available, the use of Food and Drug Administration-approved culture-independent methods of diagnosis can be recommended at least as an adjunct to traditional methods. (Strong “We recommend”Low)
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Antibiotic sensitivity testing for management of the individual with acute diarrheal infection is currently not recommended. (Strong “We recommend”Very low)
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Treatment of acute disease
Oral rehydration
The usage of balanced electrolyte rehydration over other oral rehydration options in the elderly with severe diarrhea or any traveler with cholera-like watery diarrhea is recommended. Most individuals with acute diarrhea or gastroenteritis can keep up with fluids and salt by consumption of water, juices, sports drinks, soups, and saltine crackers. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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Probiotics and prebiotics
The use of probiotics or prebiotics for treatment of acute diarrhea in adults is not recommended, except in cases of postantibiotic-associated illness. (Strong “We recommend”Moderate)
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Non-antibiotic therapies
Bismuth subsalicylates (BSSs) can be administered to control rates of passage of stool and may help travelers function better during bouts of mild to moderate illness. (Strong “We recommend”High)
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In patients receiving antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea (TD), adjunctive loperamide therapy can be administered to decrease duration of diarrhea and increase chance for a cure. (Strong “We recommend”Moderate)
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Antibiotic therapy
The evidence does not support empiric anti-microbial therapy for routine acute diarrheal infection, except in cases of TD where the likelihood of bacterial pathogens is high enough to justify the potential side effects of antibiotics. (Strong “We recommend”High)
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Use of antibiotics for community-acquired diarrhea should be discouraged as epidemiological studies suggest that most community-acquired diarrhea is viral in origin (norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus) and is not shortened by the use of antibiotics. (Strong “We recommend”Very low)
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Evaluation of persisting symptoms
Serological and clinical lab testing in individuals with persistent diarrheal symptoms (between 14 and 30 days) is not recommended. (Strong “We recommend”Very low)
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Endoscopic evaluation is not recommended in individuals with persisting symptoms (between 14 and 30 days) and negative stool work-up. (Strong “We recommend”Very low)
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Prevention
Counseling
Patient level counseling on prevention of acute enteric infection is not routinely recommended but may be considered in the individual or close-contacts of the individual who is at high risk for complications. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”Very low)
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Individuals should undergo pretravel counseling regarding high risk food/beverage avoidance to prevent TD. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”Very low)
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Hand washing
Frequent and effective hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are of limited value in preventing most forms of traveler’s diarrhea but may be useful where low-dose pathogens are responsible for the illness as for an example during a cruise ship outbreak of norovirus infection, institutional outbreak, or in endemic diarrhea prevention. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Prophylaxis
Bismuth subsalicylates have moderate effectiveness and may be considered for travelers who do not have any contraindications to use and can adhere to the frequent dosing requirements. (Strong “We recommend”High)
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Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for prevention of traveler’s diarrhea are not recommended. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”Low)
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Antibiotic chemoprophylaxis has moderate to good effectiveness and may be considered in high-risk groups for short-term use. (Strong “We recommend”High)
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Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Acute Diarrheal Infections in Adults
Authoring Organization
American College of Gastroenterology
Publication Month/Year
May 1, 2016
Last Updated Month/Year
June 1, 2023
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
This guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of acute gastrointestinal infection focusing primarily on immune-competent adult individuals and does not consider Clostridium difficile-associated infections, which has recently been reviewed in a separate American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Clinical Guideline
Target Patient Population
Patients with infectious diarrhea except C. diff infection
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Hospital, Outpatient
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Assessment and screening, Diagnosis, Prevention, Management, Treatment
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D003967 - Diarrhea, D001424 - Bacterial Infections, D005767 - Gastrointestinal Diseases, D017714 - Community-Acquired Infections, D041981 - Gastrointestinal Tract
Keywords
diarrhea, infection, gastrointestinal, infectious diarrhea
Source Citation
Riddle, Mark S MD, DrPH; DuPont, Herbert L MD; Connor, Bradley A MD. ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Acute Diarrheal Infections in Adults, American Journal of Gastroenterology: May 2016 - Volume 111 - Issue 5 - p 602-622 doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.126