Inflammation of the small intestine( enteritis) during prolonged course can lead to destructive changes and even death of the mucous membrane. Depending on the pathogen and the nature of the course of the disease, the inflammation is divided into:
- catarrhal;
- is fibrinous;
- purulent;
- necrotizing enteritis.
The main signs of necrotic enteritis, which is caused by a strain of gram-positive anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, is the presence of dark red tissue death sites as a result of impregnation with their blood in the initial sections of the small intestine. In this case, there is a sharp flow of the intestinal wall and a narrowing of its lumen. Inflammation bears a segmental nature and affects areas of various lengths with varying degrees of bleeding and necrosis.
Bacteria of Clostridium perfringens serotype C cause a rapid and severe leakage of necrotic enteritis. Characteristic features are:
- acute abdominal pain;
- bloody diarrhea;
- vomiting.
In the future, the development of the disease can lead to peritonitis, shock. Infection with necrotic enteritis occurs through food that contains pathogenic microorganisms. Diagnosis of the disease by the method of bacteriological examination of feces. A severe disease caused by? -toxin with a high degree of sensitivity to enzymes that ensure the process of digesting food proteins in the human stomach. The highest prevalence of the disease is in the high-risk population. Such risk factors for the development of necrotic enteritis are:
- Insufficient amount of protein in the food used.
- Unsatisfactory food hygiene.
- Episodic abundant meat consumption.
- Dietary food with a predominance of products containing substances that inhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-decongesting effects, for example, sweet potato.
- Infection with ascarids.
Most of all, the presence of a combination of these factors is characteristic of remote areas of New Guinea, selected areas of Asia, Africa, Central and South America. Due to the severity of the course, necrotic enteritis varies from mild diarrhea to bloody diarrhea and death within 24 hours after the onset of the disease. Treatment is done with antibiotics, and about half of those who are sick need surgery. When epidemics occur, vaccination is used. With necrotic enteritis, accompanied by gas bubbles in the submucosal layer, vascular thrombosis, mortality is 40 percent.