Typhoid Fever: Recent Advances in Understanding, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies for Endemic Regions
Tufael 1*, Atiqur Rahman Sunny 2
Journal of Primeasia 1.3(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/primeasia.119803
Submitted: 19 October 2020 Revised: 21 December 2020 Published: 28 December 2020
Abstract
Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, remains a significant public health challenge in developing countries despite major declines in incidence in the Western world. Historically, typhoid fever was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe and the United States, primarily due to poor sanitation and inadequate water supply. Advances in public health infrastructure have markedly reduced its prevalence in developed regions, but it continues to affect millions annually in parts of Asia, including Bangladesh. The disease disproportionately impacts children and persists in areas with suboptimal sanitation and overcrowded living conditions. In Bangladesh, inadequate data on typhoid fever burden complicates effective management and control. Challenges include the prevalence of outpatients, insufficient diagnostic facilities, unreliable record-keeping, and limitations of the Widal test, which has moderate sensitivity and specificity. This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in understanding typhoid fever, particularly within the Indian context, by examining its epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies. Notable epidemiological trends reveal high incidence rates in South Asia, with significant seasonal variation. Improved diagnostic tools, such as PCR and newer serological tests, are emerging, but blood culture remains the gold standard. Treatment has evolved with concerns over drug resistance, and prevention strategies emphasize the importance of improved sanitation and water safety. This review highlights the need for enhanced public health efforts and research to address the persistent challenges of typhoid fever in endemic regions.
Keywords: Typhoid Fever, Salmonella Typhi, Epidemiology, Diagnostic Methods, Antimicrobial Resistance.
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