Shigella Sepsis

It is generally believed that bacteremia rarely occurs with enteric Shigella infections. During a five-year period, 110 children were admitted to the University Hospital of the Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, with Shigella enteritis. Eight (7%) had Shigella bacteremia/septicemia, and four of the eight died. An analysis of these patients and their course disclosed clinical characteristics that were of potential prognostic importance. Some of these indicators are identifiable early and hence could be useful in management. The patients at greatest risk were afebrile; 10% or more dehydrated; malnourished, with a low serum albumin level; infected with ampicillin-resistant strains; had leukopenia during the course of the illness; and had persistent watery hemoglobin-positive stools.