Intestinal Infections and Environmental Enteropathy: Working Group Report of the Second World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Research Determine criteria to establish the pathogenicity of candidate diarrheagenic agents and document any evidence of synergistic effects between pathogens. Determine the benefits of a specific diagnosis for disease etiology to patients and their communities, and determine the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the diagnostic methods used. Determine the etiology and pathogenesis of mucosal damage in environmental enteropathy, and determine the extent to which growth falters because of this disorder. Intervention Determine the most effective strategies to prevent enteric infections, including vaccination. Determine the most effective strategies to prevent antimicrobial resistance and to achieve global surveillance of antimicrobial resistance to enteric pathogens. Determine if certain interventions can prevent or reduce environmental enteropathy and promote growth, especially during weaning. Education Determine the best clinical management regimens and algorithms used in different regions of the world for acute watery diarrhea, dysentery and persistent diarrhea. Determine the most effective educational approaches to improving hygiene behavior, especially for poor families. Training in basic research in environmental enteropathy.