TITLE:
Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Profile of Salmonellosis at the CHNEAR in Dakar
AUTHORS:
Mame Awa Ndao, Ibrahima Diop, Maryam Aida Kane, Yaay Joor Dieng, Fatou Sy, Aminata Mbaye, Marie Paula Apsa Dione, Idrissa Demba Ba
KEYWORDS:
Salmonellosis, Diarrhea, Children
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.16 No.2,
January
28,
2026
ABSTRACT: Typhoid fever is a fecal–oral transmitted disease and a common, highly contagious, non-immunizing foodborne infection originating in the gastrointestinal tract and caused by major Salmonella species. It represents a medical and sometimes surgical emergency due to the risk of severe and unpredictable complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, evolutionary, and therapeutic characteristics of salmonellosis. This was a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study conducted among children at CHNEAR over a five-month period, from January 1 to May 31, 2025. All confirmed cases of salmonellosis requiring hospitalization during the study period were included. A total of 52 cases of salmonellosis were identified, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria. The male-to-female sex ratio was 2.1. The mean age was 7.3 years, with a range from 1.5 to 14 years. More than two-thirds of patients (67.74%) originated from suburban areas. The most frequent reasons for consultation were fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, reported in 90.32%, 70.97%, and 58.06% of cases, respectively. Nearly half of the patients (46.43%) had received undocumented treatment prior to hospitalization. None of the patients had received typhoid vaccination, while all children were up to date with their Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) vaccines. On physical examination, fever was present in 90.32% of cases. The majority of patients (95.6%) presented with tachypnea. Dehydration (41.94%), abdominal pain (32.26%), and clinical anemia (19.35%) were the most frequently observed physical signs. Laboratory investigations showed that the majority of patients (82.76%) had normal leukocyte counts, with normal lymphocyte levels in more than half of cases (51.72%), while 41.38% presented with lymphopenia (These are the results we found). C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in all patients. Blood cultures were positive for Salmonella in 87% of cases. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly administered antibiotic, used in 68.97% of patients. Hyponatremia (80.65%) and hypokalemia (29.03%) were the most frequent metabolic complications observed. A disease duration of ≥3 weeks was significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome, with a p-value of 0.02. Two deaths were recorded. Salmonellosis remains a common condition in our region. Preventive measures, particularly typhoid vaccination and strict hand hygiene, remain essential and effective strategies for reducing disease burden.