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Salmonella Typhimurium Infection

Salmonella species can be perplexing. There are over 2,000 serotypes of salmonellae. All salmonella serotypes are members of a single species, Salmonella enterica (S. enterica). Human infections are almost exclusively caused by S. enterica. Of the serotypes, typhimurium is among the most common. Typhimurium typically causes enterocolitis. Typhimurium is usually contracted by digesting contaminated beef, poultry, or contaminated liquids. The incubation period is approximately 8-48 hours after ingestion of contaminated products.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of salmonellas typhimurium include fever, chills, nausea, and headache. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain may occur. Additionally, malaise, cough and sore throat are common. If there are no complications, the infected individual will generally recover within 7 - 10 days. However, relapse can occur.

    Gastrointestinal Complications

    • Acute enterocolitis is a complication of typhimurium infection. Often involving the large and small intestines, entercolitis causes severe diarrhea which may be extremely bloody at times. Treatment for entercolitis simply involves relieving the symptoms. Those with sickle cell disease or a weakened immune system, or those infected with bacteremia, may need antibiotic treatment.

    Complications

    • Complications account for approximately 75% of deaths. Prolonged complications to watch out for include intestinal hemorrhage coupled by a drop in temperature, shock and blood in stool, or intestinal perforations accompanied by abdominal pain.

    Considerations

    • Enteric fever, also referred to as typhoid fever, can be caused by any salmonella species. Enteric fever must be distinguished from other gastrointestinal illnesses and other infections. Individuals infected with enteric fever often have a history of recent travel to an epidemic area.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of Salmonella typhimurium may include ampicillin, azithromycin or chloramphenicol antibiotic treatment.

    Diagnosis

    • Urine cultures can test for salmonella. Rose spots, bradycardia, abdominal tenderness and splenomegaly are classic clinical symptoms of diagnosis.

    Prognosis and Prevention

    • The recovery rate for most salmonella serotypes is usually self-limited. However, bacteria may localize in your bones and joints, especially in those with sickle cell disease. In cases where there are complications of enteric fever, the mortality rate is about 2%. Elderly or immune-compromised individuals usually fare poorer.

      In some cases, vaccination prevention is possible. However, immunization is not always effective. In households where there is a typhoid fever carrier, immunization should be considered. Additionally, those traveling to endemic areas and during epidemic outbreaks should consider vaccination.

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