BACKGROUND: Typhoid lever may be difficult to distinguish from malaria
. Septic shock, ence phalopathy and leukopenia are common features of
both diseases. CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old South Korean woman was admit
ted to the intensive care unit with coma and shock. Vomiting and abdom
inal pain were followed by headache, prostration, fever and diarrhea,
Leukocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis and
hepatitis were present. Clotting tests were normal. The thick peripher
al blood film was negative. Salmonella typhi was isolated from 6 blood
cultures. Treatment associated ceftriaxone 4 g per day for 5 days, co
lloid and crystalloid fluids and dopamine. The patient was discharged
2 weeks rarer. DISCUSSION: Typhoid fever should be considered as a dia
gnosis in patients with sepsis who come from endemic zones. Abdominal
symptoms, prolonged fever, coma and delayed headache are particularly
contributive signs. Specific treatment should be instituted.