Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
Published on: November 7, 2018
Ultrasonographic assessment of Salmonella enterocolitis in children
1Department of Paediatrics, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, 3-21, E13, N33, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, 065, Japan.
Insights
Ultrasound (US) can detect bowel and abdominal changes in Salmonella enterocolitis (SE). US findings like ascites and colonic wall thickening may indicate SE severity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Salmonella enterocolitis (SE) is a common cause of acute infectious diarrhea.
- Imaging is infrequently used in SE, leading to debated ultrasound (US) findings.
- Understanding US features is crucial for SE diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical significance of abdominal ultrasound in evaluating Salmonella enterocolitis (SE).
- To differentiate US findings in SE versus Rotavirus enterocolitis (RE).
Main Methods:
- Abdominal ultrasound (US) was performed on 15 patients diagnosed with SE.
- A control group of 9 patients with Rotavirus enterocolitis (RE) underwent US.
- Clinical data, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and stool occult blood tests, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ascites (60%) and colonic mural thickening (40%) were observed in SE patients, but not in RE patients.
- SE patients with colonic thickening and ascites showed higher CRP and positive stool occult blood tests.
- Colonic wall thickness correlated significantly with CRP and stool occult blood levels.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound effectively identifies pathological changes in the bowel and abdominal spaces in SE.
- US findings of ascites and colonic wall thickening can help assess SE severity.
- US provides valuable insights into the extent of inflammation and complications in SE.
Background:
Salmonella enterocolitis (SE) is one of the important causes of acute infectious diarrhoea. Imaging studies are rarely performed on these patients. Consequently, ultrasound (US) features of SE are controversial.
Objective:
To identify the clinical significance of US in the evaluation of SE.
Material And Methods:
Abdominal US was performed in 15 patients with SE and 9 patients with Rotavirus enterocolitis (RE).
Results:
Ascites was present in 60 % and mural thickening of the colon in 40 % of patients with SE on abdominal US, whereas we could not identify these features in patients with RE. In patients with SE, colonic wall thickening; and ascites, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher as compared to patients with SE and no colonic wall thickening or ascites. Also, the stool occult blood test was positive more often in patients with colonic wall thickening and ascites on US than in patients without these findings. The colonic wall thickness significantly correlated with CRP and stool occult blood level.
Conclusions:
US is able to identify pathological changes in bowel and intra-abdominal spaces. The US findings of ascites and colonic wall thickening may be useful for determining the severity of SE.
