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Published on: November 7, 2018
Salmonellosis in Children at a Portuguese Hospital: A Retrospective Study
Inês Filipa Mendes1, Sara Completo1, Rita Vieira de Carvalho1
1Pediatrics Department. Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca. Amadora. Portugal.
Insights
Salmonellosis in Portuguese children is characterized by frequent hospitalizations and antibiotic resistance, particularly to ampicillin. This study highlights the need for improved prevention and treatment strategies for Salmonella infections in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Salmonellosis poses a significant global health burden.
- Recent trends show a high incidence of Salmonella infections in Portuguese children under 15.
- Characterizing these infections is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To epidemiologically, microbiologically, and clinically characterize Salmonella isolations in children in Portugal.
- To inform public health strategies for prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective descriptive study of pediatric salmonellosis cases.
- Data collected from a Portuguese Level II Hospital between January 2015 and July 2020.
Main Results:
- 63 children included; 11 cases annually on average.
- One-third of cases required hospitalization.
- Salmonella Enteriditis and Salmonella Typhimurium were the most common serotypes.
- Antibiotic resistance observed for ampicillin (19%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cotrimoxazole (6.4%).
- No resistance to third-generation cephalosporins detected.
Conclusions:
- Salmonellosis remains a significant cause of hospitalization and antibiotic use in Portugal.
- Findings underscore the need for enhanced prevention, treatment, and reporting of Salmonella infections in children.
- Despite decreasing incidence, it is a major gastrointestinal infection in the EU.
Introduction:
Salmonellosis represents a considerable health, social and economic burden in both high- and low-income countries. Recently, in Portugal, most cases of Salmonella infections have been reported in children under 15 years of age. The main aim of this study was to characterize, from an epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical perspective, cases of Salmonella isolation among children.
Material And Methods:
The authors performed a descriptive study using retrospective analysis of cases of salmonellosis, in pediatric age, at a Portuguese Level II Hospital, between January 2015 and July 2020.
Results:
The population included a total of 63 children, of which 81% were Portuguese. Ethnicity was identified in 13 children, most of whom were African. The median age at diagnosis was four years old (3.5 - 9 years old). Despite the small number of cases per year in our study (11), one-third were severe enough to require hospitalization. Overall, 13% of patients were treated with antibiotics. In 63% of the isolates, serotype was identified: Salmonella Enteriditis (38%), Salmonella Typhimurium (22%), and Salmonella Typhi (3%). Antibiotic resistance rates were 19% for ampicillin and 6.4% for amoxicillinclavulanic acid and cotrimoxazole. No resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was found.
Conclusion:
Given the obtained results, we intend to improve knowledge on salmonellosis in Portugal and, consequently improve prevention strategies, treatment and its notification. Although the incidence of salmonellosis has been decreasing in recent years it is the second most frequent gastrointestinal infection in the European Union, contributing to significant rates of hospitalizations and use of antibiotics in Portugal.
