Typhoid Fever

Early in the course of typhoid fever, bacteria localize in the terminal ileum producing focal swelling of Peyer's patches and necrosis of the overlying mucosa. These abnormalities account for the nodularity, thickened mucosa and ulceration seen in the terminal ileum on radiological examination. Splenomegaly is demonstrated on abdominal plain films. The clinicopathological findings in typhoid fever are reviewed and 2 cases are described to show that typhoid fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases involving the terminal ileum.