The clinical and laboratory characteristics of eleven cases of bacterial meningitis due to Salmonella, are reviewed. Meningitis was more common in children under the age of 13 months. In younger children the symptoms and neurological signs were not evident. Convulsive disorders and neurological coma were the most frequent complications in 4 and 5 cases respectively. The mortality ratio was high, 36% (4 patients) and the neurological sequelae were very important: two patients presented spastic paralytic alterations and other two had hydrocephalia. The main findings in the cerebral spinal fluid were: increased leukocytes and proteins with low glucose determinations; comparing with other purulent meningitis, mononuclear cells were predominant over polymorphonuclear cells in 7 cases (64%). Salmonella was isolated in all cases; Salmonella typhi was recovered in 3 cases; one had group "C" Salmonella and 7 cases Salmonella group "B". These cases were treated with either chloramphenicol or ampicillin.

Adult↗

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[Fatal endrin poisoning].

Endrin is a cycladine organic chloride insecticide responsible for fatal poisoning due to food contamination, suicide or occupational cause. The case of an 18 months old infant who ingested Endrin that was being used at home by his parents as raticide is reported. There appeared sudden convulsive crises, coma and death within 24 hours. The pathological findings were unspecific. Experimental studies and clinical observations of other authors that are coincidental with the symptoms shown by this child are discussed. The possible etiopathogenesis of this poisoining, together with the necessity to control this type of toxics, for which there is no antidotal treatment, are also discussed.

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