3rd August 2023

A 28 year old woman traveller returns from a hiking trip in Nepal and presents to ED 14 days later with a fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

A 28 year old woman traveller returns from a hiking trip in Nepal and presents to ED 14 days later with a fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. She took malaria prophylaxis but admitted conditions for hygiene were poor, and she does not remember which travel vaccines she took.

On admission, her fever is persistently 39 – 40’C, HR 105 bpm, BP 110/75 mmHg, 97% oxygen saturations on room air. Typhoid fever is considered.

What laboratory finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.