Acute secretory diarrheas. Current concepts in pathogenesis and treatment.

Acute secretory diarrheas constitute a major source of mortality and morbidity world-wide. Our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved is reviewed with particular reference to cholera and enterotoxigenic E. coli infections. From the physiological principles involved, a unified concept for the treatment of acute secretory diarrheas is presented. The importance of rehydration is highlighted and practical instructions for the use of oral glucose-electrolyte solutions in the treatment of acute secretory diarrhoeas are given, along with some discussion of the rationale behind their use and optimum composition. The important role of nutritional factors during acute diarrhoea is underlined and the place of various drugs, some established, some experimental, are briefly discussed.