Salmonella infection characteristics in newborn infants
Feklisova, L.V.; Titova, E.I.; Kurnosova, N.A.; Ermolenko, Z.N.; Chernysheva, N.A.
Voprosy Okhrany Materinstva i Detstva 25(3): 34-38
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-8825 PMID: 6992429 Document Number: 159278
Examination of feces of 51 infants with diseases of bacteriological origin during the 1st mo. since birth, revealed the presence of S. typhimurium in 48 infants, S. panama, S. kapemba and S. newport in the remaining 3. The last 2 Salmonella serotypes were combined with S. typhimurium strains and were detected in the spinal fluid of 1 infant and in cerebral tissue inoculum of another infant. Differences were observed in initial symptoms and in the course and severity of salmonellosis in infants < 10 days old (acute form of disease) and in 10-30 day old infants (subacute form). Time (at birth or later), method (through contact or food) of infection, congenital pathologies and accompanying diseases (staphylococcal sepsis) were factors determining the course and severity of salmonellosis. The absence of formed specific humoral immunity combined with acute disturbance in cellular nonspecific reactivity and acute decrease of the protective function of intestinal microflora were the main reasons for the transition of salmonellosis into a chronic state in some infants. The viability and resistance to antibiotics of some S. typhimurium strains were discussed. Some strains were sensitive only to gentamicin and ceporin. Treatment of infants included antibacterial therapy and infusion therapy (composed of colloid preparations, glucose-saline solutions with additions of K, Ca and Na salts and vitamins). Blood preparations were prescribed mainly to infants with salmonellosis combined with staphylococcal sepsis. The use of bifidumbacterin was beneficial. Lymphocyte blasttransformation caused by phytohemagglutinin and studies of intestinal microflora of newborns were reported.