Analysis of physical and laboratory findings in nontyphoidal salmonellosis

J Infect Chemother. 2002 Sep;8(3):232-6. doi: 10.1007/s10156-002-0181-y.

Abstract

Nontyphoidal salmonellosis has a wide variety of clinical presentations. With the aim of describing the detailed clinical presentations of gastroenteritis caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella spp., findings for 126 patients (1-94 years of age; 37.0 years on average) were analyzed. Nontyphoidal salmonellosis is prevalent from April to October in Akita, when the mean atmospheric temperature exceeds 10 degrees C. On physical examination, 3 patients had rebound tenderness and muscle guarding on their abdominal wall; 1 of these patients underwent surgery for associated acute appendicitis. Elderly patients tended to be more seriously affected, resulting in severe dehydration. Elevation of the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlated well with a decline in the platelet count. Although nontyphoidal salmonellosis is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis, thorough investigation and meticulous care are required so that conditions requiring surgical treatment or those that are potentially fatal are not overlooked.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Salmonella / drug effects
  • Salmonella Infections / blood
  • Salmonella Infections / complications*
  • Salmonella Infections / epidemiology
  • Seasons