Salmonellosis and shigellosis in Togo (West Africa), 1971-1973. I. Carrier rates in the rural population.

Carrier rates of Salmonella and Shigella in the rural population of Togo were investigated between October 1971 and January 1973. A total of 6051 stool specimens from 5075 persons living in 13 rural communities of all regions of Togo was examined. Each village was investigated twice, i.e. in the dry and rainy season, respectively. The overall carrier rate was 7.2% (Salmonella 6.6%, Shigella 0.6%). There was no significant difference in carrier rates of males and females. There was a higher prevalence of Salmonella infections in individuals over 65 years of age. Positive rates in the village varied form 2.0-19.8%. In the southern part of the country within the zone of equatorial climate positive results between 2.0% and 4.9% were observed without distinct differences between the dry and rainy season. In the central region positive rates determined in the rainy season (8.0-15.9%) were twice the rates in the dry season (4.2-7.6%). In the northern part of the country differences observed in the two investigations of each community seemed not to be related to season (2.0-19.0%). The 414 Salmonella strains belong to 133 serotypes, among them 17 new antigen combinations. Typhoid bacteria were detected in 6 subjects only; paratyphoid bacteria have not been isolated. Among Shigella strains Sh. flexneri was most frequently identified (31 of 36 strains).