Incidence of infections with Salmonella enteritidis serotypes in Black and Indian children. A 16-year survey.

A 16-year survey (1960--1975) of Salmonella infections other than typhoid fever in Black and Indian children admitted to King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, is reported. The 3,393 patients yielded 3,688 Salmonella enteritidis serotypes, mainly typhimurium, johannesburg/duval, manhattan, enteritidis, and senftenberg. Organisms were isolated from one or more of the following: stool, urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, liver, sputum, subcutaneous tissue, ear and bone. Patients' ages varied from 1 day to 12 years, with a median age of 8 months. The high incidence of malnutrition, other debilitating diseases and multiple pathogens isolated from many of the patients precluded firm decisions as to the role played by most salmonellae as contributory factors or causes of death.