ATAXIA IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH SALMONELLA-TYPHI PHAGE TYPE D2 - CLINICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES

Reversible cerebellar dysfunction has been described in association wi th typhoid fever by a number of authors. Ataxia and tremors are relati vely common manifestations of typhoid fever in Papua New Guinea. A ser ies of 14 patients with typhoid fever and ataxia was compared with non -ataxic typhoid patients. Hyponatraemia and hypoalbuminaemia were comm on in both groups and more severe in the ataxic group. Hypotension was also more common in the ataxic group. These features may reflect more severe disease. All isolates of Salmonella typhi, from both ataxic an d non-ataxic patients, were phage type D2 which is endemic around Port Moresby. Tests for autoantibodies cross-reacting with cerebellar tiss ue were negative. It is possible that cerebellar dysfunction in typhoi d fever is more common in association with phage type D2.