PROLONGED SEPTICAEMIC SALMONELLOSIS - TREATMENT OF INTERCURRENT SCHISTOSOMIASIS WITH NIRIDAZOLE

With the appearance of cases of septicaemic salmonellosis resistant to chloramphenicol and various antibiotic and chemotherapeutic drugs (tetracyclines, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, sulphonamides) we decided to treat the intercurrent schistosomiasis from which these patients suffered. The response to treatment with niridazole was excellent. Two resistant cases showed dramatic and convincing clinical and laboratory response, the cure not being followed by relapses; both the salmonellosis and the schistosomiasis were cured by daily doses of 25-20 mg. per kg. for 7–10 consecutive days. The results so far obtained from this preliminary study led us to treat 8 other patients with niridazole before any antibiotics. This was successful and all the patients were cured of both infections; the rapid sterilization of cultures was outstanding, particularly the blood cultures (Table I). Although it is too soon to draw any definite conclusion on the pathogenetic importance of schistosomiasis in the salmonellosis of long duration, the results of the present trial are discussed on the basis of a probable anti-salmonella action of niridazole, which was also demonstrated in vitro. © 1969 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.