Sep 18, 2025 01:45 AM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098750
EXCERPT: What has become particularly troubling is that these infections are becoming harder to treat and can persist for longer periods of time. In their review, Fang and his colleagues discuss several sexually transmitted enteric pathogens that have become extremely multi-drug resistant. Because of the ease of international travel, the transmission of gastrointestinal superbugs is no longer an isolated problem but a global health concern.
Researchers and public health officials have recognized since the late 1960s and early 1970s that enteric infections can be sexually transmitted, and that this route of spread occurs more frequently among men who have sex with men. (Enteric refers to the lower digestive tract.)
Gut infections among this population are “the newest of the old diseases,” their article says.
Public health responses to enteric disease outbreaks sometimes fall between the cracks, the authors explained. Tracing the origins of outbreaks typically involves looking into food-borne exposures. Health care providers may overlook the possibility of sexual transmission, while programs to control sexually transmitted diseases typically focus on traditional causes like syphilis and gonorrhea. Also, medical data available to epidemiologists may lack information about sexual history.
A wide variety of pathogens can cause enteric infections in men who have sex with men, but the illnesses have similar symptoms. All these disease agents, whether bacteria, viruses, amoebas or other protozoans, and additional kinds of parasites, can set off diarrhea.
Fang pointed out that advances in molecular testing of patient samples have improved detection of causative organisms and their genetic strains. These more sensitive tests can assist in determining the most appropriate treatment, as well as help efforts to trace transmission... (MORE - missing details, no ads)
EXCERPT: What has become particularly troubling is that these infections are becoming harder to treat and can persist for longer periods of time. In their review, Fang and his colleagues discuss several sexually transmitted enteric pathogens that have become extremely multi-drug resistant. Because of the ease of international travel, the transmission of gastrointestinal superbugs is no longer an isolated problem but a global health concern.
Researchers and public health officials have recognized since the late 1960s and early 1970s that enteric infections can be sexually transmitted, and that this route of spread occurs more frequently among men who have sex with men. (Enteric refers to the lower digestive tract.)
Gut infections among this population are “the newest of the old diseases,” their article says.
Public health responses to enteric disease outbreaks sometimes fall between the cracks, the authors explained. Tracing the origins of outbreaks typically involves looking into food-borne exposures. Health care providers may overlook the possibility of sexual transmission, while programs to control sexually transmitted diseases typically focus on traditional causes like syphilis and gonorrhea. Also, medical data available to epidemiologists may lack information about sexual history.
A wide variety of pathogens can cause enteric infections in men who have sex with men, but the illnesses have similar symptoms. All these disease agents, whether bacteria, viruses, amoebas or other protozoans, and additional kinds of parasites, can set off diarrhea.
Fang pointed out that advances in molecular testing of patient samples have improved detection of causative organisms and their genetic strains. These more sensitive tests can assist in determining the most appropriate treatment, as well as help efforts to trace transmission... (MORE - missing details, no ads)