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Typhoid fever in paediatric patients in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
Muhammad Naeem Khan1, Muhammad Shafee2, Kamran Hussain3
1Muhammad Naeem Khan, Department of Microbiology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan.
Insights
Seropositivity for typhoid fever was 18.6% in febrile pediatric patients. The study highlights the significant burden of this infectious disease in children, particularly during summer months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly in developing regions.
- Accurate diagnosis and understanding of its epidemiology in vulnerable populations are crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ascertain the seropositivity rate of typhoid fever among febrile pediatric patients.
- To investigate the epidemiological patterns of typhoid fever in children presenting to a tertiary care center.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted involving 2964 clinically suspected pediatric typhoid fever cases.
- Blood samples were analyzed using Widal and Typhidot® tests for serological diagnosis.
- Data collection spanned from July 2011 to March 2012 at Children Hospital Quetta.
Main Results:
- Overall seropositivity for typhoid fever was 18.6% (550 out of 2964 patients).
- Higher disease prevalence was observed during the hot summer season.
- The disease predominantly affected school-aged children between 5-10 years, with no significant sex-based association.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a substantial burden of typhoid fever in pre-school and school-aged children.
- Seasonal variations and age-specific patterns in typhoid fever incidence necessitate tailored public health interventions.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering these epidemiological factors for effective typhoid fever control programs.
Objectives:
To determine the seropositivity of typhoid fever in febrile pediatric patients presenting to tertiary care center.
Methods:
This observational study was conducted at Children Hospital Quetta (CHQ) from July 2011 to March 2012. The children with three or more days fever, no obvious focus of infection and clinically suspected of typhoid fever were screened. Sterile Blood samples were obtained from febrile patients and Widal and Typhidot® tests were performed for the diagnosis of Typhoid fever in the suspected populations.
Results:
Total of 2964 clinically suspected patients were screened for typhoid fever. Of these, 550 (18.6%) patients were positive serologically. The higher prevalence of the disease in hot summer season and increasing pattern of the disease was observed in summer days. The disease was higher in school age children under 5-10 years. Although non-significant association was observed on sex basis.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the considerable burden of typhoid fever in pre-school and school-aged children. The variation in the disease pattern has also been observed under seasonal variation and different age groups, all of which need to be considered in deliberations to control the typhoid fever.
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