Lever et al reported findings associated with acute travel-related gastrointestinal illness that were predictive of cause or a delayed resolution. These can help to identify a patient who may require different or more aggressive management. The authors are from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London.
A definite microbiological diagnosis was made in 21% (310 of 1,450 patients).
Predictors of a parasitic infection:
(1) travel to South Asia (aOR 2.6)
(2) dysenteric diarrhea (aOR 0.22)
Predictors of a bacterial infection:
(1) male gender (aOR 1.60)
(2) age < 37 years (aOR 2.0)
(3) stool white blood cells (aOR 3.5)
(4) serum CRP > 5 iu/dL(aOR 4.7; "iu" probably refers to "mg"; in Table 2 referred as "increased")
(5) travel to South Asia (aOR 0.47) or Southern Africa (aOR 0.11)
83% of patients reported full symptomatic resolution by the first follow-up visit.
Predictors of a lack of symptomatic resolution by the first follow-up visit:
(1) female sex (aOR 1.5)
(2) dysenteric diarrhea (aOR 2.1)
(3) elevated WBC count (aOR 1.6)
