Persisting Consequence of Intestinal Infection: A Case of the Blind Men and the Elephant

摘要

While the acute consequences of intestinal infection would appear to be of the utmost importance to drive science and public health efforts to mitigate the problem, there is growing evidence linking such infections with myriad chronic health consequences including impacts on neurological, hematological, and rheumatological systems. The difficulty of understanding how such infections may cause chronic health problems cannot be overstated, given the range of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites), the genetic and acquired host factors, the often repeated infections in a person's life, and the interactions between complex neuroendocrine, immunological, and microbiological systems, many of which are not well understood. The aim of this supplement is to assess our position in terms of epidemiological and pathological-etiological understanding of the phenomenon, identify gaps in knowledge, and describe future directions related to the challenge of persisting consequences of intestinal infection.