[Infection by Salmonella typhi in the southern area of Ponteverde]

A retrospective study of patients infected by Salmonella typhi (ST) was conducted in the southern area of Pontevedra during a 17-month period in order to assess the clinical and evolutive characteristics and the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility of the infection. ST was isolated from samples of 30 patients: 25 hemocultures, 7 coprocultores, 1 urine and 1 aortic aneurysm. Nineteen cases had consumed non-sanitary controlled water, 95% from rural areas. The clinical characteristics were similar to the ones traditionally described. Seven patients (23%) developed complications and their presence was associated to a poorer prognosis. We did not observe any resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. In summary, the infection by ST is still a health problem in our environment, probably associated to insufficient measures in the enloration of water for human consumption.