Intestinal Infections Among Febrile Hospitalized Patients in the Republic of Armenia: A Retrospective Chart Review

Abstract

In the past, several enteric outbreaks in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2003 caused by Salmonella typhi, a Gram-negative bacterium, have occurred in Armenia. This study describes the demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of febrile hospitalized patients with intestinal infections in Armenia. Using a chart review study design, medical data from adult patients who were hospitalized at the Nork hospital during 2010–2012 were reviewed. A total of 600 medical charts were reviewed. Of these, 51 % were diagnosed with intestinal infections. Among these patients, 59 % had an intestinal infection of known etiology, with three main pathogens identified: Salmonella sp. (32 %), Shigella sp. (32 %), and Staphylococcus aureus (18 %). After controlling for the calendar year, age in years, and gender, patients detected with Salmonella sp. were more likely to reported the presence of a family member with similar signs or symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 9.0; 95 % CI 2.4–33.7] and the lack of a water tap at home (OR 3.9; 95 % CI 1.7–9.5). Evidence indicates that Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and S. aureus as the most common etiologies reported among febrile hospitalized patients. A high percentage of patients had intestinal infections of unknown etiology; thus, improvement in laboratory capacity (enabling more advanced tests, such as polymerase chain reaction) would increase the identification of the enteropathogens causing disease in Armenia.