Typhoid fever infection - Antibiotic resistance and vaccination strategies: A narrative review

Travel Med Infect Dis. 2021 Mar-Apr:40:101946. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101946. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Abstract

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), prevalent in many low- and middle-income countries. In high-income territories, typhoid fever is predominantly travel-related, consequent to travel in typhoid-endemic regions; however, data show that the level of typhoid vaccination in travellers is low. Successful management of typhoid fever using antibiotics is becoming increasingly difficult due to drug resistance; emerging resistance has spread geographically due to factors such as increasing travel connectivity, affecting those in endemic regions and travellers alike. This review provides an overview of: the epidemiology and diagnosis of typhoid fever; the emergence of drug-resistant typhoid strains in the endemic setting; drug resistance observed in travellers; vaccines currently available to prevent typhoid fever; vaccine recommendations for people living in typhoid-endemic regions; strategies for the introduction of typhoid vaccines and stakeholders in vaccination programmes; and travel recommendations for a selection of destinations with a medium or high incidence of typhoid fever.

Keywords: Bacterial; Drug resistance; Risk; Salmonella typhi; Travel; Typhoid-paratyphoid vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Humans
  • Salmonella typhi
  • Travel
  • Travel-Related Illness
  • Typhoid Fever* / drug therapy
  • Typhoid Fever* / epidemiology
  • Typhoid Fever* / prevention & control
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents