Sexual transmission of typhoid fever: a multistate outbreak among men who have sex with men

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Jul 1;37(1):141-4. doi: 10.1086/375590. Epub 2003 Jun 24.

Abstract

In August 2000, the Ohio Department of Health reported a cluster of men with typhoid fever who denied having traveled abroad. To determine the cause and the extent of the outbreak, an epidemiological investigation was initiated in which 7 persons in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana with culture-confirmed Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi infection and 2 persons with probable typhoid fever were evaluated; all were men, and all but one reported having had sex with 1 asymptomatic male S. Typhi carrier. We document sexual transmission of typhoid fever, which may be acquired by means of oral and anal sex, as well as via food and drink.

MeSH terms

  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Indiana / epidemiology
  • Kentucky / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Ohio / epidemiology
  • Salmonella typhi*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Typhoid Fever / epidemiology*