Bush Beats Vol-5, No-2, 2019

Acute gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea or vomiting (or both) which does not last more than 14 days duration, remains one of the most common infectious diseases seen around the world, and its associated morbidity and mortality are greatest among those at the extremes of age, children and the elderly.1-4 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for millions of deaths each year in young children, mostly in developing countries.5,6 In the developed countries, gastroenteritis is a major cause for morbidity across all age groups, and is a common reason for presentation to general practice or emergency departments and for hospitalization.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are amongst the most common infectious diseases in community practice.1 UTIs are caused by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.2 Escherichia coli remains the predominant uropathogen (80%) isolated, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10-15%). Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Streptococcus, Serratia, Enterococci, and Proteus species account for the remaining 5-10% of UTIs.3-5 It should be noted that colonization of uropathogens may involve lower as well as upper urinary tract. The infections of the lower urinary tract include cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and epididymitis, and those of the upper urinary tract include pyelonephritis.6 The clinical features of UTIs most commonly include urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, suprapubic pain, and possible hematuria