Liver involvement in typhoid fever. A prospective study of 60 patients
Kabbaj, M.E.; Bernard, P.; El Hachimi, A.; Imbert, J.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 3(8-9): 651-656
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 510862 Document Number: 139307
The prevalence and features of liver involvement in typhoid fever are not well known. The clinical and biochemical manifestations of liver involvement and of the histological lesions of the liver were studied in a group of 60 patients with typhoid fever. Jaundice was observed in only 5 patients. Increase in serum transaminases was present in 47 patients. Increase in serum alkaline phosphatases was noted in 25 patients. Histological hepatic lesions were demonstrated in 48 patients and consisted mainly of Kupffer cell hyperplasia, sinusoidal dilatation and infiltration by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells; in a small number of patients, granulomas were seen. There was no relation between severity of liver involvement and prognosis. Pathogenesis of the liver lesion is obscure; these lesions seem similar to those observed in septicemias of other causes and in various chronic disease of the digestive tract.