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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2018; 24(45): 5076-5080
Published online Dec 7, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i45.5076
Montezuma’s revenge - the sequel: The one-hundred year anniversary of the first description of “post-infectious” irritable bowel syndrome
Mark S Riddle, Patrick Connor, Chad K Porter
Mark S Riddle, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
Patrick Connor, Military Enteric Disease Group, Department of Military Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham B15 2SQ, United Kingdom
Chad K Porter, Department of Enteric Diseases, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States
Author contributions: Riddle MS performed the majority of the writing; Porter CK provided input in writing the paper; Connor P provided input in writing the paper.
Correspondence author to: Mark S Riddle, MD, Full Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States. Mark.riddle@usuhs.edu
Telephone: +1-301-2950777 Fax: +1-301-2959769
Received: July 12, 2018
Peer-review started: July 12, 2018
First decision: August 27, 2018
Revised: August 28, 2018
Accepted: October 5, 2018
Article in press: October 5, 2018
Published online: December 7, 2018
Processing time: 148 Days and 15 Hours
Abstract

One-hundred years have passed since the original description of the commonly described phenomenon of persistent abdominal symptoms being triggered by an acute enteric infection. This first account was generated out of astute observations by Sir Arthur Hurst in World War I. Additional descriptions followed from military and non-military practitioners adding the evidence which has transitioned this recognized condition from association to causation. While mechanistic understanding is an area of active pursuit, this historical accounting of a centuries progress highlights important advances and contributions of military medicine and scientists to advances benefiting global populations.

Keywords: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome; Medical history; Military medicine; Gastroenteritis; Travelers’ diarrhea; Functional gastrointestinal disorder; Bacterial diarrhea

Core tip: There are several reviews in the literature describing the clinical phenomenon of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome including its history. However, this is the first review to consider the earliest description dating back nearly 100 years ago and describe the role of the individuals and context of discoveries that were made, and the important contributions that military medicine has lended towards further understanding.