Biomedical Research

Abstract

Background: Typhoid fever caused by the Salmonella typhi is a communicable disease and still a major health concern in developing countries. This study was carried to access the disease burden in Gujrat, Pakistan and associated risk factors.

Methodology: Data was collected from confirmed typhoid patients (n382) visiting different public and private sector hospitals through structured questionnaire prepared with the help of physician.

Results: The typhoid incidence seems higher in females 52.62% as compared to males 47.38. 160 patients (42.32%) belong to age group 21-30 years. 82.46% patients were suffered from typhoid infection during summer season (July-September). 64.81% of patients got infectioned are non-vaccinated and 58.37% are drinking non-filtered water. Most of the patients (76.17%) were got typhoid fever infection once. In our study majority of patients 61.24% were diagnosed early. Maximum 101 patients get rid of typhoid fever after two weeks of medication. The main complain observed was fever follow by diarrhoea cases and abdominal pain with 99.7%, 98.95% and 98.42% prevalence respectively.

Conclusion: The age group 21-30 was highly affected by typhoid infection. Water quality, vaccination and season have great impact on burden of typhoid fever in population. Fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain are the major symptoms associated with typhoid fever.

Keywords

Typhoid fever, Surveyed, Salmonella typhi, Gujrat, Diarrhoea, Non-vaccinated, Medication, Diagnosed.

Introduction

Typhoid fever is a systematic infection effecting mankind around the globe [1], caused by Salmonella enteric serotype typhi, and remains a significant worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality [2]. Typhoid fever remains a major public health problem in the third world countries, especially in developing countries of Asia [3-5]. The disease is unique to human, characterized by malaise, fever, headache, abdominal discomfort (constipation or diarrhoea), transient rash, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, slow heart rate, cough, vomiting, hypotension and leucopenia, the most common major complications are intestinal haemorrhage, and perforation [6].

The epidemiology of typhoid fever was started from the typical study by Austin [7]. Recent data show the annual load of disease to be 21 million cases throughout the world with over 200 000 deaths due to typhoid fever [7]. Before this it was observed to be 16 million with over 600 000 deaths [8,9] and in 2006, The World Health Organization (WHO) measured frequency of 16 to 33 million typhoid fever episodes globally each year, with 500,000 to 600,000 deaths and case fatality rate of between 1.5 and 3.8% [10]. This obviously indicates an increase in morbidity with a decrease in mortality. The death rate of typhoid fever is highest in Asia with 93% of the global infectious episodes. Asia also has the highest regional frequency rate of 274 cases per 100,000 population, which is five times greater than the second highest, Latin America [7]. Southeast Asia has an incidence of 110 cases/100,000 population, which is the third highest occurrence rate for any region [7]. Pakistan falls into this region. On the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan has the highest incidence (451.7 per 100,000 persons/year) of typhoid fever followed by India (214.2 per 100,000 persons/year) [11].

Contaminated food [12-14] and water [13,15,16] have been recognized as the major associated risk factors for typhoid prevalence. According to study in 2003, water bore infections causes 250,000 deaths every year in Pakistan among which typhoid fever is the foremost cause [17]. A number of other risk factors have been studied in different endemic settings such as poor sanitation [18] close contact with typhoid cases or carriers [19], larger household size, level of education, closer location to water bodies [19,20], flooding [21], personal hygiene [15], poor life style [22], and travelling to endemic areas [23]. In addition, climatic related factors such as, rainfall; vapor pressure and temperature have a major effect on the burden and distribution of typhoid infections in human populations [15,24].

Population-based data from Pakistan are rare; many hospital-based surveillance studies from different areas of the country have constantly shown a very high frequency of typhoid fever, especially in the younger age groups. Seasonal variations also have significant epidemiological interest in typhoid fever [25,26].

Epidemiological surveillance study of S. typhi is vital for population health management to identify factors that are responsible for the outbreaks, transmission method and pattern, and associated risk factors responsible to the persistence and spread of typhoid fever in this high risk area. However improved water quality and sanitation can be the ultimate solutions to this problem, vaccination in high risk areas is a possible control strategy recommended by WHO for the short-to-intermediate term [27].

The objective of this study was to analyse the present situation of typhoid and to classify the factors behind the still common episode of the disease, in district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan. This is the first surveillance report on typhoid fever epidemiology and risk factor assessment in this district. Results from this study will provide useful information about the sanitation, health and diagnostic facilities of the district. Findings of this surveillance report are helpful in the management of typhoid fever. These results can also help to shape policy for setting the priority of public health programs to reduce typhoid mortality by launching specific immunization programs or improving health, diagnostic and sanitation facilities of the district.

Materials and Methods

The survey was carried out from different public and private sector hospitals of District Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan within time frame of May 2015 to June 2016. About 140 patients were served from Aziz Bhati Teaching Hospital, Bhimber Road Gujrat. Sixty patients were served from Gujrat Hospital, Bhimber road Gujrat. From other hospitals named Doctor’s Hospital, Jail chowk, Gujrat, City Hospital, Jail chowk, Gujrat and Ikram Hospital, Bhimber road, Gujrat patients about 60, 73, 54 and 55 respectively were participated in the study. All information needed related to typhoid fever its prevalence and associated risk factors were documented through a semi structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained information related to prevalence, epidemiological factors and clinical presentation of the fever. Questions were asked about name, age, sex, place of birth, water quality of drinking water, vaccination record, number of infection episodes, season of infection, stage of diagnosis, recovery duration and major symptoms associated with typhoid fever observed by the physician or patient.

Results

Total 382 confirmed typhoid patients visited different public and private sector hospitals of district Gujrat and participated in study shows no significance gender distribution. 47.38% (n=181 patients) were Males and 52.62% (n=201) were females.

Susceptible age group

Among 382 patients 32 (8.46%) patients were infected with typhoid fever in the age of 1-10 years. In age group of 11-20 years 115 patients were found positive with 30.42% prevalence of the infection. Similarly 160 patients were found positive in the age ranged from 21-30 indicating 42.32% prevalence which was highest among all observed age groups. 6.08% (n=23 patients) were fall in the age limit of 31-40 years. Only 25 (6.61%) patients were found positive with typhoid fever in age group of 41-50 years whereas 23 (6.084%) were fall in age group 50 years and above (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Relation of typhoid fever with different age groups.

Impact of seasonal variations

Results show marked variation in number of typhoid cases during different months of year. In summer season (July-September) 82.46% (n=315) patients was suffered from typhoid infection which is maximum number of patients whereas in winter (December-February) and autumn (October-November) 14.92% (n=57) and 1.092% (n=4) patients respectively indicating minimum number in autumn. Only 6 (1.57%) were got typhoid fever in spring season (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Relation of typhoid fever with season of infection.

Role of water quality and vaccination

Vaccination record and water quality has great impact on typhoid fever prevalence. The risk of getting typhoid fever is two times higher in non-vaccinated people as compared to vaccinated. High percentage of patients 64.81% suffered from typhoid fever are not vaccinated while only 35.18% patients was previously vaccinated. Risk of typhoid fever is reduced in people who are using filtered water as compared to those who are devoid of facility (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Relation of typhoid fever with vaccination and water quality.

Infection episodes

Most of the patients got typhoid fever infection once as observed 76.17% (n=291). Although there is considerable percentage of patients who suffered recurrence of disease twice or thrice among served patients ranged from 16.23% (n=62) and 7.59% (n=29) respectively (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Infection episodes and typhoid fever.

Impact of diagnosed stage

Diagnosed stage of any infection or disease is a good indicator of the health facilities of a particular area. In our surveillance study majority of patients 61.24% (n=234) were diagnosed early (within one or two weeks) whereas 21.95% (n=84) and 16.8% (n=64) were diagnosed middle (third week) and late (fourth and onward weeks) respectively (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Impact of diagnosed stage.

Major symptoms observed

Major symptom/complications of typhoid fever which was observed in 99.7% (n=381) patients was fever followed by Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, Cough, Vomiting, headache, Hypotension, Slow Heart Rate, Constipation and Rose Spots which were complained by 98.495% (n=378), 98.42% (n=376), 96.85% (n=370), 94.24% (n=360), 93.45% (n=357), 92.14% (n=354), 81.15% (n=310), 20.41% (n=78) and 8.11% (n=31) patients respectively (Table 1).

Table 1: Major symptoms/complications observed.

Recovery duration of patients

5.23% patients were recovered from infection after one week of treatment. Maximum 26.43% patients get rid of typhoid fever after two weeks of medication. Various number like 15.70%, 21.98%, 1.30%, 4.18%, 1.30% and 14.65% were recovered after third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth week respectively. The number of patients which were still suffering from infection at the time of survey was 9.16% (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Recovery duration of patients.

Discussion

Typhoid fever is a potentially life threatening that is transmitted by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. Polluted water and contaminated food are the major sources of disease transmission. Typhoid is a severe health problem in developing countries [7] including Pakistan. In Pakistan, typhoid fever is endemic, major associated factors for high prevalence could be illiteracy, poverty, overcrowding, poor sanitation and insufficient facilities for safe drinking water supply [28]. In our study overall male (47.38%) to female (52.62%) ratio was 1:1 which suggest that typhoid fever is independent of sex. It affects both males and females of all age groups. Our finding was in accordance with the studies of Khan et al., Malik et al. and Jaafar et al. [29-31]. In this study most commonly observed symptoms (Table 1) of patients was Fever (99.7%) followed by diarrhoea (98.42%) and abdominal pain (96.85%). Our results were agreed with the results of Gamal et al. and Aatekah et al. [32,33]. Typhoid has been shown to be common among infants, young children and adults in Southeast Asia [19,30,34]. In our findings, typhoid was found in all age groups from 1-80 years old, but like other Southeast Asian countries, the age groups upto 30 years including children and young adults were more susceptible (Figure 1). Highest percentage of patients was observed in age group of 20-30 which was about 42.32% (n=160). This was in accordance to the report of Gamal et al. and Jaafar et al. [31,32]. One reason for age group 1-10 is that the undeveloped immune system in growing children makes them vulnerable to this enteric pathogen [31]. But in case of young’s belongs to age group 20-30 the possible reason is their unhygienic life style and junk food along with increased number of social gatherings [13]. Contaminated food was the major source of infection in young adults. The maximum prevalence of typhoid fever was recorded in summer season. Out of total 382 patients 82.46% (n=315) was got infected in summer season (Figure 2). The highest prevalence was reported in summer season in Indonesia and Pakistan (Karachi and Baluchistan) [7,28]. Eating locally prepared ice, ice creams and chilled drinks have been recognized as some of major associated risk factors for typhoid fever in children in Karachi in summer season as reported by Luby et al. [13]. Other associated factor may be flooding that lead to the incorporation of sewage and drinking water [28,35]. These two factors are responsible for the highest prevalence of typhoid fever in summer. The number of patients infected with typhoid fever was higher (58.37%) among those who drink non-filtered or poor quality water as compared to patients (41.63%) with the facility of filtered water (Figure 3). These results are in accordance to findings of Rahman et al. [36]. This was due to the reason that contaminated water is one of the major sources of S. typhi. [37-39]. The significance of reoccurrence of disease among (23.83%) patients was reported (Figure 4). Incomplete antibiotic dosage or treatment or weak immune system of the patient and possible resistant strains development could be the possible reasons of reoccurrence. In present study 61.24% patients were diagnosed early (1^st or 2^nd week) of typhoid infection in a clinical laboratory or hospital (Figure 5). This shows that the diagnostic facilities were satisfactory and people of that area were probably aware of these infectious diseases like typhoid fever. Recovery duration of patients from any disease was an indication of health and treatment facilities of a particular area. In this survey 101 patients were recovered from typhoid fever infection after 2 weeks of treatment which is an indication of satisfactory medical and health faculties provided to the people of that district. Vaccination plays an important role in the prevention of any disease especially infectious diseases. Risk of getting typhoid fever reduced to half in vaccinated against people (35.18%) as compared to non-vaccinated (64.82%) patients (Figure 3) [40,41].

Conclusion

It is concluded from above results that typhoid fever is affecting mankind irrespective of age and sex. Although the age group 21-30 was highly affected with this infection. Water quality, vaccination and season have great impact on burden of typhoid fever in population. Fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain are the major symptoms /complications of the typhoid fever. Infection episodes, diagnoses stage and recovery duration plays a major role to study epidemiology and to evaluate the health measures of that particular area.

These observations support the decision to vaccinate population against typhoid fever. A combination of mass vaccination with improvement in water supply systems and sanitation is need of hour to control epidemics of typhoid fever in the high prevalence areas. Awareness should be created in young generation related to polluted water and hygienic food to eradicate this particular infection.

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