HEMOSTATIC ABNORMALITIES IN MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT ENTERIC FEVER

Twenty-five consecutive patients with multidrug-resistant enteric feve r were evaluated and followed for haemostatic abnormalities. Twenty-on e (84%) of the patients had evidence of disseminated intravascular coa gulation (DIG) and 12 (48%) also had evidence of associated fibrinolys is. Clinical bleeding was observed in 3 (12%) cases, and did not bear any correlation with clotting abnormalities. Protein C activity was fo und to be decreased in 11 of the 15 cases with DIG, and a block in its activation, as previously postulated, could not be substantiated. DIC was reversed in most cases within 8 days of the institution of specif ic antibiotic therapy.