Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: June 1, 2010
[Salmonella infections in children: a retrospective study over a four-year period]
1Service de pédiatrie infectieuse, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 05, France. muriel.lalande@libertysurf.fr <muriel.lalande@libertysurf.fr>
Insights
Salmonella infections in children are rising in Languedoc-Roussillon, France. While most cases are mild and treated symptomatically, severe infections and antibiotic resistance are growing concerns.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Context:
- Retrospective study of pediatric Salmonella infections requiring hospitalization at Montpellier University Hospital over four years.
- Analysis of clinical, bacteriological, laboratory, and therapeutic data.
Purpose:
- To determine the epidemiological status of Salmonella infections in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
- To discuss therapeutic indications for pediatric Salmonella infections.
Summary:
- 169 pediatric Salmonella infections were investigated, with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever as common symptoms.
- Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Enteriditis were the predominant strains. Treatment was primarily symptomatic, with 20% requiring antibiotics.
- Stool analysis is the reference test for Salmonella detection; hyperleukocytosis and elevated CRP levels were inconsistently observed.
Impact:
- Salmonella infections are increasing in France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, posing a public health challenge.
- While mild forms are easily diagnosed, certain patient backgrounds are associated with severe cases. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
- Symptomatic treatment is standard, with antibiotics reserved for severe or specific cases, highlighting the need for judicious antibiotic use.
Objectives:
Epidemiological state of salmonella infections in Languedoc-Roussillon (France) and discussion of therapeutic indications.
Material And Method:
Retrospective study over a four-year period of paediatric salmonella infections requiring hospitalisation in Montpellier University Hospital. Analysis of clinical, bacteriological, laboratory and therapeutic data.
Results:
One hundred and sixty nine cases of paediatric salmonella infections have been investigated. The clinical triad consisted of diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Six severe cases have been observed and seemed to have been independent of patient's background. Laboratory findings showed inconstantly hyperleucocytosis and increase in CRP levels. Stool analysis remained the reference laboratory test to detect salmonella. Two major strains of salmonella have been identified: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium and Enteriditis. Treatments have been essentially symptomatic but 20% of the children (n=34) required antibiotic therapy. A favourable outcome was observed in all the children.
Discussion:
Incidence of salmonella infections is increasing in France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon area. Diagnosis of mild forms is generally easy but certain patient background seems to expose to severe forms. Treatment of salmonella infections is mainly symptomatic, only severe or specific cases (young age, immunodepression...) requiring antibiotic treatment. The growing antibiotic use and the increasing of resistance are currently the main problems in the management of salmonella infections. Those infections remain a public health problem in Languedoc-Roussillon.
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