Fecal–oral route: Difference between revisions
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The '''fecal–oral route''' (or alternatively the '''oral–fecal route''' or '''orofecal route''') is a [[Transmission (medicine)|route of transmission]] of a disease, when [[pathogens]] in [[Feces|fecal]] particles passing from one [[host (biology)|host]] are introduced into the [[oral cavity]] of another host. |
The '''fecal–oral route''' (or alternatively the '''oral–fecal route''' or '''orofecal route''') is a [[Transmission (medicine)|route of transmission]] of a disease, when [[pathogens]] in [[Feces|fecal]] particles passing from one [[host (biology)|host]] are introduced into the [[oral cavity]] of another host. One main cause of fecal-oral disease transmission in [[developing countries]] is lack of adequate [[sanitation]]. |
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The process of transmission may be simple or involve multiple steps. Some examples of routes of fecal-oral transmission include: |
The process of transmission may be simple or involve multiple steps. Some examples of routes of fecal-oral transmission include: |
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* food that has been prepared in the presence of fecal matter; |
* food that has been prepared in the presence of fecal matter; |
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* disease vectors, like [[Housefly|houseflies]], spreading contamination from inadequate fecal disposal such as [[open defecation]]; |
* disease vectors, like [[Housefly|houseflies]], spreading contamination from inadequate fecal disposal such as [[open defecation]]; |
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* poor or absent |
* poor or absent [[hand washing]] after using the [[toilet]] or handling feces (such as changing diapers) |
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* poor or absent cleaning of anything that has been in contact with feces; |
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* sexual practices that may involve oral contact with feces, such as [[anilingus]], [[coprophilia]] or "[[ass to mouth]]". |
* sexual practices that may involve oral contact with feces, such as [[anilingus]], [[coprophilia]] or "[[ass to mouth]]". |
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Revision as of 07:48, 17 March 2015
The fecal–oral route (or alternatively the oral–fecal route or orofecal route) is a route of transmission of a disease, when pathogens in fecal particles passing from one host are introduced into the oral cavity of another host. One main cause of fecal-oral disease transmission in developing countries is lack of adequate sanitation.
The process of transmission may be simple or involve multiple steps. Some examples of routes of fecal-oral transmission include:
- water that has come in contact with feces (for example due to groundwater pollution from pit latrines) and is then inadequately treated before drinking;
- food that has been prepared in the presence of fecal matter;
- disease vectors, like houseflies, spreading contamination from inadequate fecal disposal such as open defecation;
- poor or absent hand washing after using the toilet or handling feces (such as changing diapers)
- poor or absent cleaning of anything that has been in contact with feces;
- sexual practices that may involve oral contact with feces, such as anilingus, coprophilia or "ass to mouth".
Diseases
Some of the diseases that can be passed via the fecal-oral route are:
- Poliomyelitis
- Norovirus acute gastroenteritis
- Giardiasis[1]
- Hepatitis A[2]
- Hepatitis E[3]
- Rotavirus[4] Most of these pathogens cause gastroenteritis.
- Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery)[5]
- Typhoid fever[6]
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections[7]
- Enteroviruses
- Cholera
- Clostridium difficile
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Ascariasis
Transmission of Helicobacter pylori by oral-fecal route has been demonstrated in murine models.[8]
References
- ^ Meyer EA (1996). Other Intestinal Protozoa and Trichomonas Vaginalis in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Zuckerman AJ (1996). Hepatitis Viruses in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Wang L, Zhuang H (2004). "Hepatitis E: an overview and recent advances in vaccine research". World J Gastroenterol. 10 (15): 2157–62. PMID 15259057.
- ^ a b c d Intestinal Parasites and Infection fungusfocus.com - Retrieved on 2010-01-21
- ^ Hale TL, Keusch GT (1996). Shigella in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Giannella RA (1996). Salmonella:Epidemiology in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Finkelstein RA (1996). Cholera, Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139, and Other Pathogenic Vibrios in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Cellini et al. (1998). "Evidence for an oral-faecal transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection in an experimental murine model". APMIS 107(1–6): 477–484.