Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 134, Issue 03  


Risk factors for typhoid fever among adult patients in Diyarbakir, Turkey

S. HOSOGLU a1c1, M. K. CELEN a1, M. F. GEYIK a1, S. AKALIN a1, C. AYAZ a1, H. ACEMOGLU a2 and MARK LOEB a3
a1 Dicle University Hospital, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Diyarbakir, Turkey
a2 Dicle University Hospital, Department of Community Health, Diyarbakir, Turkey
a3 Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Article author query
hosoglu s   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
celen mk   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
geyik mf   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
akalin s   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
ayaz c   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
acemoglu h   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
loeb m   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

We conducted a case-control study to assess risk factors for typhoid fever in Diyarbakir, Turkey, a region where transmission of Salmonella typhi is endemic. We prospectively identified febrile patients from Diyarbakir and the surrounding area who were admitted to hospital. Cases were defined as patients who had S. typhi isolated from at least one blood culture. Sixty-four cases with blood culture-confirmed S. typhi were identified between May 2001 and May 2003. In total, 128 age- and sex-matched controls selected from neighbourhoods as cases were enrolled. We hypothesized that consumption of raw vegetables contaminated with sewage would be associated with an increased risk of typhoid fever. Conditional logistic regression modelling revealed that living in a crowded household (OR 3·31, 95% CI 1·58–6·92, P=0·002), eating cig kofte (a traditional raw food) (OR 5·29, 95% CI 2·20–12·69, P=0·000) and lettuce salad (OR 3·55, 95% CI 1·52–8·28, P=0·003) in the 15 days prior to symptoms onset was independently associated with typhoid fever. We conclude that living in a crowded household and consumption of raw vegetables outside the home increase the risk of typhoid fever in this region.

(Published Online November 17 2005)
(Accepted September 19 2005)
(November 17 2005)


Correspondence:
c1 Dicle Universitesi Hastanesi, Klinik Mikrobiyoloji ve Enfeksiyon Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, 21280, Diyarbakir, Turkey. (Email: hosoglu@hotmail.com)

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