Childhood carriers of Salmonella and Shigella species in the rural area of Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Four hundred and eight apparently healthy school children from rural primary schools in Ile-Ife were examined for the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species, which were found respectively in 2% and 3.2% of these children. The prevalence of the organisms decreased as the age of the children increased. Salmonella species were found only in specimens from boys while Shigella species occurred in both sexes and were more prevalent among females. No specimen contained both organisms. Only one of the 12 different sources of well and rain water used for domestic purposes in the rural areas where the children examined lived contained Salmonella species, and none contained any species of Shigella or faecal E. coli.