Author information

1 Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States. Mark.riddle@usuhs.edu.

2 Military Enteric Disease Group, Department of Military Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham B15 2SQ, United Kingdom.

3 Department of Enteric Diseases, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States.

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.