A study of coagulation disturbances in infectious disease with particular reference to the role of coagulation disturbances in salmonella typi infections

Abstract

Approximately 4,000 cases of typhoid fever are notified annually in South Africa. While localised gastrointestinal bleeding is common, a generalised haemorrhagic state remains unusual. Nevertheless recent reports have drawn attention to the high incidence of sub- clinical, laboratory diagnosed, intravascular coagulopathy. This study evaluates the incidence of coagulation disturbances in Black patients with typhoid fever. in addition to the contribution of disseminated intravascular coagulation (D. I. C.), the role of disturbed liver function in impaired haemostasis is assessed.