Introduction: Acute bloody diarrhea obligates rapid and accurate diagnostic evaluation; few studies have described such cohorts of children. Methods: We conducted a planned secondary analysis employing the Alberta Provincial Pediatric EnTeric Infection TEam (APPETITE) acute gastroenteritis study cohort to describe the characteristics of children with acute bloody diarrhea, compared to a cohort of children without hematochezia. Children <18 years of age presenting to 2 pediatric tertiary care emergency departments (EDs) in Alberta, with ≥3 episodes of diarrhea and/or vomiting in the preceding 24 hours and <7 days of symptoms were consecutively recruited. Stools were tested for 17 viruses, bacteria and parasites. Primary outcomes were clinical characteristics and pathogens identified. Secondary outcomes included interventions and resource utilization. Results: Of 2257 children enrolled between October 2015 and August 2018, hematochezia before or at the index ED visit was reported in 122 (5.4%). Compared to children with nonbloody diarrhea, children with hematochezia had longer illness duration [59.5 vs. 41.5 hrs, difference 10.6, 95% CI 3.5, 19.9], more diarrheal episodes in a 24-hour period [8 vs. 5, difference 3, 95% CI 2, 4], and less vomiting [55.7% vs. 91.1%; difference -35.3%; 95% CI -44.7, -26.3]. They received more intravenous fluids [32.0% vs. 18.3%; difference 13.7%, 95% CI 5.5, 23.0], underwent non-study stool testing [53.7% vs. 4.8%; difference 49.0%, 95% CI 39.6, 58.0], experienced longer ED visits [4.1 vs. 3.3 hours, difference 0.9, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0] and were more likely to have repeat healthcare visits within 14 days [54.8% vs. 34.2%; difference 20.6%, 95% CI 10.8, 30.1]. A bacterial enteric pathogen was found in 31.9% of children with hematochezia versus 6.6% without bloody diarrhea (difference 25.4%, 95% CI 17.2, 34.7). In children with hematochezia, the most commonly detected bacteria were Salmonella spp. (N = 15), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (N = 9), Campylobacter spp. (N = 7), and Shigella spp. (N = 5). Viruses were detected in 32.8% of children with bloody diarrhea, most commonly adenovirus (N = 15), norovirus (N = 14), sapovirus (N = 8) and rotavirus (N = 7). Conclusion: Children with hematochezia differed clinically from those without hematochezia and required more healthcare resources. While bacterial etiologies are common, several viruses were also detected.

The emergence of microbial challenges in commercial poultry farming causes significant economic losses. Vaccination is effective in preventing diseases of single aetiology while antibiotics have an advantage over vaccination in controlling diseases of multiple aetiologies. As the occurrence of antibiotic resistance is a serious problem, there is increased pressure on producers to reduce antibiotic use in poultry production. Therefore, it is essential to use alternative substances to cope with microbial challenges in commercial poultry farming. This review will focus on the role of β-glucans originating from yeast cell wall (YCW) as a growth promoter and antibiotic alternative. β-glucans have the ability to modulate the intestinal morphology by increasing the number of goblet cells, mucin expression and cells expressing secretory IgA (sIgA) with increased sIgA in the intestinal lumen and decreased bacterial translocation to different organs. β-glucans also increase the gene expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins which maintain the integrity of the intestinal wall in broiler chickens. However, further studies are required to optimise the dosage and source of β-glucans to determine effects on growth performance and mechanisms against enteric pathogens.