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Diagnosis of acute gastrointestinal diseases
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Diagnosis of acute gastrointestinal diseases is based on a comprehensive clinical and laboratory approach. A carefully collected anamnesis and a fully conducted objective examination make the diagnosis of acute gastrointestinal disease reliable, allow assessing the severity of the patient and determining the management tactics.
To clarify the etiology of the disease, a bacteriological examination of feces and vomit is carried out at least three times during the acute period (it is advisable to collect at least one sample before starting antibacterial therapy).
Coprological examination helps to clarify the predominant level of damage to the gastrointestinal tract:
- in case of stomach damage, a large amount of connective tissue, coarse plant fiber and striated muscle fibers are determined in the coprogram;
- in case of enteritis, the coprogram contains a large amount of fatty acids, starch grains (extra- and intracellular), muscle fibers and fatty acid salts;
- In case of colitis, the coprogram contains a lot of indigestible fiber, intracellular starch and signs of inflammation (leukocytes, erythrocytes, mucus).
Serological testing (RNGA, ELISA, RSC) is prescribed using the paired serum method at 7 and 14 days of illness.
PCR diagnostics are currently becoming common practice.
Peripheral blood analysis helps to confirm bacterial (leukocytosis, neutrophilia, sometimes with a left shift, increased ESR) or viral (leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis) etiology of the disease. In diseases of functional origin, the blood analysis, as a rule, does not change.
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