Predictors for extraintestinal infection of non-typhoidal Salmonella in patients without AIDS

To identify the risks and predictors for extraintestinal non-typhoidal salm onellosis, we undertook a study of 398 patients with cultures positive for non-typhoidal Salmonella seen at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gun g Children's Hospital between November 1993 and October 1994. Salmonella ch oleraesuis was the most invasive serotype observed. S. panama, S. typhimuri um and S. schwarzengrund were the commonest causes of EII among those serot ypes usually causing gastroenteritis. Pre-existing underlying disease, part icularly immunosuppressive disease, was the most important risk factor that may have predisposed adult patients to have EII, Old age (greater than or equal to 60 years) and isolation of invasive serotypes were also frequently associated with EII in adult patients, The characteristics of paediatric p atients with a high probability of having EII were: <3 years of age, abnorm al blood test results (a leucocyte count greater than or equal to 15,000/mm (3) or <5000/mm(3), immature leucocytes greater than or equal to 10% of tot al leucocytes, and a C-reactive protein concentration greater than or equal to 50 mg/l); and isolation of invasive serotypes. This information can be an aid to early diagnosis and treatment of EII caused by non-typhoidal Salm onella.