Zinc Deficiency Elevates Fecal Protein, But Not Electrolyte and Short-Chain Fatty Acid, Levels in Enterotoxigenic -Induced Diarrhea in Rats.

Purpose: To determine the effect of zinc deficiency on fecal protein, electrolyte, and short-chain fatty acid levels in both heat-stable (ST) and heat-labile (LT) enterotoxigenic (ETEC)-induced diarrhea in rats.

Methods: Albino rats, weighing 100 to 150 g, were divided into 2 groups, with 15 animals each: non-zinc and zinc-deficient. These two groups were sub-divided into three sub-groups with five rats each: control (saline); LT-ETEC; and ST-ETEC.

Trends in Empirical Treatment of Hospitalized Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Nigeria.

Background: Acute gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease with a high rate of morbidity and mortality in children below five years of age. Appropriate empirical treatment is therefore vital for reducing the incidence of the disease.

Objective: This study aimed at determining the trends in the empirical treatment of hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis.