Enteric (typhoid) fever in travelers

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Travel Medicine

Background:

• Enteric (typhoid) fever affects 3-30 per 100,000 travelers to developing nations.
• Travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs), particularly to the Indian subcontinent, are a high-risk group.
• Increasing paratyphoid fever in Asia and antibiotic-resistant strains pose growing concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the vulnerability of VFRs to enteric fever.
• To address the challenges posed by paratyphoid fever and antibiotic resistance.
• To emphasize the importance of typhoid vaccination and clinical suspicion for febrile travelers.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data on enteric fever incidence in travelers.
• Analysis of trends in paratyphoid fever and antibiotic resistance patterns.
• Assessment of current vaccination recommendations and diagnostic challenges.

Main Results:

• VFRs demonstrate a higher susceptibility to enteric fever.
• Paratyphoid fever incidence is rising in Asia, and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains are emerging.
• Existing typhoid vaccines do not cover paratyphoid fever.

Conclusions:

• Enteric fever prevention requires tailored strategies for VFRs.
• The rise of paratyphoid fever and antibiotic resistance necessitates vaccine development and vigilance.
• Prompt diagnosis of enteric fever in febrile travelers to endemic areas is crucial.