ENTERIC FEVER Flashcards
What is enteric fever?
A communicable disease encompassing typhoid and paratyphoid fevers caused by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A B
What are typhoidal Salmonella species?
Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A B
What are non-typhoidal Salmonella species?
Other serotypes of Salmonella enterica such as Salmonella typhimurium
What is the reservoir of infection for enteric fever?
Humans are the only reservoir except for S. paratyphi C
How is enteric fever transmitted?
Fecal-oral route often through contaminated food and water; rarely person-to-person.
What is the incubation period of enteric fever?
10-14 days but it can range from 6 to 30 days depending on dose and host factors.
What is the infective dose of Salmonella typhi?
Usually 10^7 but it can be as low as 10^3 in vulnerable hosts.
What are the systemic features of enteric fever?
Involves the reticuloendothelial system intestinal lymphoid tissue
What are the clinical stages of enteric fever?
First week: Fever headache
What are key complications of enteric fever?
Intestinal hemorrhage and perforation jaundice
What are the risk factors for enteric fever?
Age (school-age children young adults)
What are the main diagnostic methods for enteric fever?
Clinical suspicion blood culture (1st week)
What is the Widal test?
A serological test detecting O and H antibodies to S. typhi widely used but with poor specificity and sensitivity.
What is the IDL Tubex test?
An immunochromatographic test detecting IgM to S. typhi O antigens providing early diagnosis with ~90% sensitivity.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing enteric fever?
Blood culture despite its low sensitivity due to low bacteremia and prior antibiotics.