Nontyphoid salmonella septicemia
Cohen, A.; Freundlich, E.; Greif, Z.
Harefuah 112(1): 5-7
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 3497078 Document Number: 303186
Nontyphoid salmonellosis is a common, usually self-limited disease which presents with nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. 17 cases of nonenteric Salmonella bacteremia and four of nonenteric Salmonella meningitis were observed between the years 1979-1984. The development of this severe systemic infection depends on risk factors such as the virulence of the serotype, the number of bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract, age of the patient and the presence of underlying debilitating disease. We found that the most virulent serotype was Salmonella 9, 12:1, V:-. There were nine cases in the 1-12 month age group, and five over 60 years of age. The four patients with meningitis were all infants under one year. Antibiotic therapy in salmonellosis is indicated in all cases of bacteremic dissemination or focal manifestations such as meningitis, and is also indicated in high-risk patients. The commonly accepted antibiotic of choice is chloramphenicol, followed by ampicillin and cotrimoxazol. In our experience, some salmonella strains were resistant to the first, but all strains were sensitive to cotrimoxazol. We therefore considered the latter the antibacterial agent of choice in high-risk patients.