From the Research
No, enteric fever typically does not cause an increase in lymphocytes. Instead, enteric fever (typhoid or paratyphoid fever) characteristically causes leukopenia (low white blood cell count) with relative lymphopenia (decreased lymphocyte count) 1. The hallmark hematological finding in enteric fever is a normal or low total white blood cell count with neutropenia (decreased neutrophils). This pattern differs from many other bacterial infections which typically cause leukocytosis with neutrophilia.
The leukopenia in enteric fever occurs because Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi, the bacteria that cause enteric fever, affect bone marrow function and can suppress white blood cell production. Additionally, these bacteria can cause destruction of white blood cells. This hematological pattern, along with other clinical features like step-ladder fever pattern, relative bradycardia, and rose spots, helps clinicians distinguish enteric fever from other febrile illnesses.
Some key points to consider in the diagnosis and management of enteric fever include:
- Blood cultures remain the gold standard for diagnosis of enteric fever 2
- The rising rates of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains call for an accurate understanding of the current management of the disease 3
- Proper public health measures and large-scale immunization programs will help reduce the burden of the disease 1
- A comprehensive surveillance system can help detect the chronic carrier state and is crucial in understanding antibiotic susceptibility patterns 1
Enteric fever is a serious infection that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications and reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is essential to follow established guidelines for the diagnosis and management of enteric fever, such as those provided by the British Infection Association 2.