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Published on: November 7, 2018
Invasive salmonellosis in paediatric patients in the Northern Territory, Australia, 2005-2015
Natasha J Hamilton1, Anthony D K Draper2,3, Rob Baird4
1Department of Paediatrics, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Insights
Invasive Salmonella disease is high in Northern Territory children. Indigenous children have higher rates of invasive Salmonella infections and longer hospital stays compared to non-Indigenous children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Invasive Salmonella disease poses a significant health concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the epidemiology of invasive Salmonella in children is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
- The Northern Territory (NT), Australia, has unique demographic factors that may influence disease patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of invasive Salmonella disease in children residing in the Northern Territory.
- To compare the incidence rates of invasive salmonellosis between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
- To identify specific age groups within the pediatric population at higher risk.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of invasive salmonellosis cases was conducted.
- Data were sourced from pathology records and the Northern Territory Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NTNDSS).
- Cases included children aged 18 years or under with Salmonella cultured from sterile sites between July 2005 and June 2015.
Main Results:
- An overall annual incidence of 14.1 per 100,000 children was observed.
- Indigenous children under 15 years had a significantly higher rate of invasive salmonellosis (23.4 per 100,000) compared to non-Indigenous children (11.6 per 100,000).
- Indigenous children experienced longer median hospital stays (8 days vs. 5 days) and the highest incidence was in Indigenous infants under 12 months (138 per 100,000).
Conclusions:
- The Northern Territory exhibits high rates of invasive salmonellosis among children.
- While Salmonella gastroenteritis rates are similar, invasive Salmonella disease disproportionately affects Indigenous children.
- Targeted public health strategies are needed to address the higher burden of invasive Salmonella in Indigenous children, particularly infants.
Aim:
To describe the epidemiology of invasive Salmonella disease in children in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Methods:
Design: A retrospective review of invasive salmonellosis cases identified by pathology records and the Northern Territory Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Case definitions: Those aged 18 years or under, with Salmonella cultured from a usually sterile site, collected in the Northern Territory between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2015.
Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome measure was the annual incidence rate of invasive salmonellosis, comparing rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Results:
There were 86 cases of invasive Salmonella infection in children over the 10-year period; an annual incidence of 14.1 per 100 000 population, in those aged less than 18 years. Gastrointestinal Salmonella notifications were similar between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. In children aged less than 15 years, the rate of invasive salmonellosis was higher in Indigenous children compared to non-Indigenous children (23.4 per 100 000 compared with 11.6 per 100 000); rate ratio 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.3-3.3, P = 0.002). Indigenous children with invasive salmonellosis had a median hospital stay of 8 days, which was compared to 5 days for non-Indigenous children (P = 0.015). The highest incidence rate of invasive salmonellosis occurred in Indigenous patients less than 12 months of age (138 per 100 000).
Conclusion:
The Northern Territory of Australia has high rates of invasive salmonellosis in children. Indigenous and non-Indigenous children experience similar rates of Salmonella gastroenteritis but Indigenous children experience higher rates of invasive salmonellosis.
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