Plasma cortisol levels in enteric fever.

Plasma cortisol levels were estimated in twenty two culture positive cases of enteric fever and in equal number of patients with fever due to non-enteric causes. Patients of typhoid with severe toxaemia and or some complication were found to have lowered mean levels on the day of admission and at the time of defervescence. The levels returned to normal one week later. Patients of typhoid with mild to moderate illness showed elevated levels of plasma cortisol. To conclude cases of typhoid with severe toxaemia and/or complications have lower cortisol levels and may be given supplementary steroids (if no contraindications exist). Since these values return to normal one week after fever subsides, supplementary steroids need not be given for longer than one week of acute illness.