Infectious Diarrhea in Early Childhood across the Global South: Etiologic Diversity and Pathogenic Mechanisms

Globally, diarrhea is the third leading cause of death in children below the age of five and is an acute problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is inadequate hygiene, poor sanitation, and a lack of access to clean drinking water. Infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, are primarily responsible for causing diarrhea. Despite significant progress in research over the past few decades, there are no licensed vaccines for most of these pathogens. Further, the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance has complicated treatment options. In this review, we provide an overview of the distinct yet often overlapping pathogenesis mechanisms employed by the diverse enteropathogens prevalent in the Global South. Future research should aim to exploit these mechanisms for the design of effective therapeutics and vaccines.