diarrhoeagenic
Diarrhoeagenic is an adjective used to describe organisms or substances that cause diarrhoea. In clinical microbiology, diarrhoeagenic agents include pathogens and their toxins that provoke increased stool water content or frequency. They can act through secretory mechanisms, inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa, osmotic effects, or disruption of absorption and motility. The term is often used in the context of infectious diarrhoea and outbreak investigations.
Common groups include bacteria such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Vibrio cholerae, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter;
Clinical management involves prompt rehydration and supportive care; diagnosis relies on clinical history and stool testing