[Salmonella enteritis in childhood - a tropical problem (author's transl)]

148 children with Salmonella gastroenteritis were admitted to the Mautner Markhofsches Kinderspital of Vienna in the 4-year period 1977 to 1980. The age distribution showed a marked prevalence of infants and young children. Salmonella Wien, typhi murium and enteritidis were the most commonly found Salmonella subtypes. No complications were encountered. After an average stay in hospital of 9 days the patients were considered fit for discharge, although only one third had negative stool cultures, whilst two thirds were convalescent Salmonella excretors. The duration of Salmonella excretion showed a hyperbolic course and was dependent on various factors, but could not be shortened by antimicrobial treatment. The topical problems of Salmonella gastroenteritis are discussed: the age distribution, with the highest incidence in early childhood, the duration of excretion in relation to antimicrobial treatment, the arguments against routine antibacterial treatment, the increase in Salmonella gastroenteritis in Western countries over the past years and the cause of this increase based on the high contamination rate of meat from animals infected by contaminated fodder. Large canteens are particularly vulnerable.