Pune: A 10-year-old boy from Shikrapur was recently treated at a city hospital for a rare Salmonella encephalitis infection that triggered serious neurological complications . Salmonella encephalitis is a water- or food-borne infection and is preventable if children are vaccinated against typhoid. In this case, doctors said the boy’s parents likely missed the shot.
Presence of Salmonella in the boy was confirmed through a blood test. The bacteria had entered the brain, causing encephalitis. And while Salmonella infection usually goes away in a few days, doctors said the boy had to be hospitalized.
What started as high fever and episodes of loose motion and vomiting, soon progressed to disorientation, drowsiness, failure to respond, slurred speech and even failure to identify his own parents. He also had a low platelet count, low blood pressure and liver and kidney issues. The boy was first treated by a paediatrician in Shikrapur but when symptoms persisted, he was moved to Pune.
“He was admitted on July 10 in a state of encephalopathy, shock and respiratory distress,” said Dr Sagar Lad, the hospital’s senior paediatric intensivist. “He needed ventilatory support and medication to stabilise blood pressure and fight infection. There were convulsions and extensive pneumonia and abnormal liver enzymes, indicating a complex multi-organ issue involving the brain, liver, heart and blood,” Dr Lad added.
Dr Nasli Icchaporia, the neurologist who led the treatment plan, said: “Tests found Salmonella Typhi infection ( typhoid fever ), an uncommon cause of severe multi-organ involvement. Additionally, he had hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare complication associated with his typhoid infection.” City-based paediatrician Dr Pradeep Suryawanshi said, “Severe typhoid infection involving the brain is uncommon today, considering kids are being vaccinated for typhoid.
” The boy responded well to treatment, which included immunoglobulin therapy. He was discharged after a 14-day ICU stay. We also published the following articles recently Thiruvananthapuram reports 5th brain infection case A fifth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis was confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram with Vijith (40) from Peroorkada testing positive, admitted to the medical college hospital.
Four earlier cases were traced to a pond in Nellimoodu. The district health administration is tracing the source of Vijith's infection and has prohibited bathing in stagnant or contaminated water sources. 4 amoebic brain infection cases reported in Thiruvananthapuram, one dead Four cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported in Thiruvananthapuram, with one fatality on July 23.
The individuals contracted the infection after bathing in a pond, which is now off-limits. Officials have cautioned against swimming in stagnant water. The health department is testing water samples and has raised an alert in the district.
Viral Infections Hitting Those Fit Too: Doctors The recent viral infection wave has impacted not only the vulnerable but also healthy individuals, leading to perplexing symptoms like prolonged joint pains and weakness. Doctors suggest poor immunity and disturbed lifestyles as possible reasons. They also indicate the need for research to determine if a new virus strain is responsible.
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