Abstract

NUNEZ FLORES, Olynés; RIVERO MESTRE, Anelsi; LOZADA, Andrea  and  MAGDALENO, Aracelys. Liver failure and multiple splenic abscesses due to typhoid fever. Gen [online]. 2026, vol.80, n.1, pp.61-64.  Epub Feb 01, 2026. ISSN 0016-3503.  https://doi.org/10.61155/gen.v80i1.790.

Typhoid fever is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water. Once ingested, Salmonella typhi multiplies and enters the bloodstream; however, liver failure and splenic abscesses as a presentation of typhoid fever are uncommon. The incidence of splenic abscesses in typhoid fever has been reported between 0.29% and 2%. According to estimates made in 2019 by the World Health Organization, 9 million people fall ill with typhoid fever each year, of whom 110,000 die. Symptoms of the disease usually include prolonged fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. Some patients experience a skin rash. We present the case of a 12-year-old female adolescent whose current illness began as an enteric illness, followed by jaundice, choluria, and acholia. The illness rapidly progressed to liver failure and the presence of splenic microabscesses. Autoimmune, viral, and metabolic causes were ruled out. A diagnosis of Salmonella typhi group H infection was made. The patient responded well to antibiotic therapy, despite the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance. This case suggests that liver failure and splenic abscesses, even in immunocompetent patients, may be caused by bacterial infections.

Keywords : Typhoid fever; abscesses; liver failure.

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