Salmonella Infections (Including Enteric Fever)
Salmonella Typhi, Salmonella Paratyphi A, Salmonella Paratyphi B, Salmonella Paratyphi C, and Salmonella Sendai are either solely or almost exclusively pathogens of humans; they cause primarily enteric fever rather than diarrhea, and transmission is usually through water or food. Other serovars of Salmonella, described here as nontyphoidal Salmonella, have reservoirs in warm-blooded animals and cause human illness after the consumption of contaminated meat or animal products, contamination of produce or water by animal feces or animal products, or exposure to contaminated animals and their environments. Although diarrhea due to nontyphoidal Salmonella is usually managed symptomatically, enteric fever and invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella disease require timely and appropriate antimicrobials. However, antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem among Salmonella, and resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is widespread. Resistance to azithromycin, fluroquinolones, and extended-spectrum cephalosporins is emerging. Vaccines are available to prevent typhoid fever, and prevention efforts for Salmonella infections focus on the provision of safe water and food.
