BACKGROUND: Enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi is an endemic disease in Iraq. Variations in presentations make it a diagnostic challenge. If untreated or treated inappropriately then it is a serious disease with potentially life-threatening complications. The recent emergence of drug resistant strains of S. Typhi is a rising public health problem and a clinical concern to the physician. AIM: The objectives of the study were to assess and describe the patterns of antimicrobial resistance, clinical characteristics, epidemiological distribution, and complications of typhoid fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty cases of typhoid fever (culture proven) were collected during the period from February 2019 to November 2019 in the medical wards of Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Detailed history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations were conducted and statistical analysis of the results was done, prospective observational study was conducted. RESULTS: During the study period, 50 cases of typhoid fever were documented, mean age of presentation was 30.7 ± 12.8, 60% of the cases were male gender, gastrointestinal complications were the most common (90%) followed by hematological complications (71%). Mortality of typhoid fever in our study was 2%. High percentage of resistance to third generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin was found (96%, 56%, and 56%, respectively) while good sensitivity to trimethoprim and meropenem was found (94% and 76%, respectively). Significant association was also found between the development of typhoid fever complications and the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia. Significant association was also found between the complications and the infection with strains resistant to cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: There is a concerning increase in resistance toward cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin while meropenem and trimethoprim are emerging as effective drugs. There was high incidence of complications found (84%).Lymphopenia, anemia, eosinopenia, and thrombocytopenia are independent risk factors for the development of complications of typhoid fever.
