Osteomyelitis in Sickle Cell Anemia: Does Age Predict Risk of Salmonella Infection?

This systematic review suggests that Salmonella is most commonly identified in patients with SCA (HbSS phenotype) especially those <12 years old presenting with acute osteomyelitis. Sub-Saharan African countries had later ages of diagnosis compared with the US, Middle East and Europe with bacterial profiles that favors a diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis and missed acute initial presentation. Therefore, age of presentation is likely a surrogate for geographic and socioeconomic factors such as availability of medical screening and treatment.