Review Highlights Infectious Diarrhea
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By
January 9, 2026
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3 min
Diarrhea presents a common yet complex challenge in clinical practice, requiring nuanced management based on symptom duration and underlying causes. Dr. Andi L. Shane and colleagues emphasize the shift in diagnostics with multiplex gastrointestinal PCR panels, cautioning against over-reliance on the results. Acute diarrhea management focuses on supportive care, while persistent cases necessitate symptom-directed therapies. Notably, recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections are addressed with innovative microbiome-based treatments, underscoring the need for personalized patient approaches and the importance of distinguishing infection from other gastrointestinal conditions.
1. Diarrhea management varies based on symptom duration. 2. Acute diarrhea often treated with oral rehydration therapy. 3. Use syndromic tests thoughtfully to avoid misdiagnosis. 4. In recurrent cases, microbiome therapies like FMT are effective. 5. Antibiotics are not always beneficial and may lead to resistance. 6. Collaboration and shared decision-making are crucial. 7. Future diagnostics should better differentiate active infections from colonization.
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