Salmonella meningitis in children in Far North Queensland

Abstract: Seven cases of Salmonella meningitis have occurred in infants in Far North Queensland since 1982. The mean age of onset was 2.8 months, and at least five of the cases were caused by Salmonella virchow. Five of the cases had significant complications during the acute illness: all required prolonged (median 34 days) inpatient management, and four developed permanent neurological sequelae. S. virchow is the serovar most frequently isolated from infants in Far North Queensland. The source of S. virchow infections in these infants remains uncertain, but transmission may occur through cross-infection and person-to-person transmission in the home.