Stewart A¹, Sowden D¹, Sloss A², Broom J^1,3. Intern Med J. 2019 Jun;49(6):789-791. doi: 10.1111/imj.14311.

Author information

1 Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

2 Gastroenterology Department, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

3 University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Abstract

Diarrhoea that occurs during or after recent travel is predominantly infectious in nature; however, in atypical or prolonged cases a broader range of aetiologies for diarrhoea must be considered, and a careful history and examination may reveal clues to more sinister causes of diarrhoea. We report two cases in which a recent travel history and a positive stool culture or polymerase chain reaction testing for bacterial pathogens delayed the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. As a result of severe inflammatory bowel disease, colectomy was the final result in both cases. Early consideration of causes other than infection for traveller's diarrhoea may prevent unnecessary morbidity in young patients.