outbreak of salmonella typhimurium infection in the newborn intensive care unit at Mafraq hospital

ABSTRACT

An epidemic of salmonella typhimurium infection in the newborn intensive care unit of Mafraq Hospital is reported, 23 cases [10 males and 13 females] occurring in a period of 5 months. The clinical manifestations were mainly loose/watery, mucoid, green stools with or without fever. Organisms were isolated from the blood in 2 cases, and from the stool in 22 cases. No organisms were found in the CSF and urine. A survey was carried out to detect the source of the infection. Among the personnel attached to the Unit, who could have been the source of this epidemic, only one nurse was found to be an asymptomatic carrier of salmonella typhimurium. None of the infant deaths were directly related to the salmonella infection