Epidemiología de las fiebres tifoidea y paratifoidea en España. A propósito de cuatro casos/Epidemiology of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in Spain. A study of four cases

• Published in: Acta pediátrica española Vol. 71; no. 2; p. 42
• Main Authors: Izquierdo-Blasco, J, Mas, R Martínez, Barba, M Miserachs, Garrido, V Rodríguez, Lafuente, S, Rom, M Boronat, Moraga-Llop, F A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Madrid Ediciones Mayo 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Children & youth; Salmonella; Travel; Typhoid
• ISSN: 0001-6640; 2014-2986

Enteric fever (term including typhoid and paratyphoid fever) is a systemic infection caused by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi. In developed countries, enteric fever is no longer an endemic disease and has become an infection frequently related to travel to endemic areas. Review of cases of enteric fever confirmed by blood culture, during the period from January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2010. We present four cases: typhoid fever in a 12-year old girl native of Pakistan and in a 13-year old girl from India, who both lived in Barcelona and traveled on vacation to their country of origin; paratyphoid fever in an immigrant child from Senegal and paratyphoid fever in an infant with a turtle as the vector of transmission. In all cases, fever was the main symptom and sign of the disease. All responded well to treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate. None of the patients had serious complications. Immigrant children who travel to their countries of origin to visit friends and/or relatives are at increased risk of disease. Reptiles, which are common carriers of different Salmonella serovars, may act as potential transmission vector.