COMPLICATIONS OF ENTERIC FEVER IN ADULTS DURING 2023 IN THE INFECTIOUS HOSPITAL OF KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Enteric fever is a systemic infectious disease mainly caused by Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi, affecting people of all ages. It remains a major public health issue in Afghanistan due to poor hygiene, unsafe drinking water, and weak infection control systems. This descriptive retrospective study aimed to identify common complications of enteric fever among adult patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kabul in 2023. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records using a structured checklist of 435 patients diagnosed with enteric fever, selected purposively. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2013. Results showed that gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 10–20% of patients, while intestinal perforation was seen in 1–3%, usually in the second or third week of infection. Neurological complications were present in 2–4%, with toxic encephalopathy affecting 50% of those neurologically affected. Other rare but serious complications included hemophagocytic syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis, splenic and hepatic abscesses, pancreatitis, granuloma formation, septicemia, polyneuritis, glomerulonephritis, orchitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, severe pneumonia, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Enteric fever remains a significant health threat due to its potential for severe complications, especially with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Enhancing infection prevention, improving hygiene, and providing timely medical care are essential to reducing the burden of enteric fever complications in Afghanistan.