A case series of nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteraemia–some food for thought!

Abstract

Nontyphoidal salmonellae (NTS) are important foodborne pathogens. Mild to moderate gastroenteritis in healthy young adults is often self-limiting and requires no antibiotic treatment. Compromised hosts can develop severe disease complicated by bacteraemia and focal infection which may lead to devastating consequences. Bacteraemia, especially if it occurs without gastrointestinal symptoms should prompt careful clinical and microbiological evaluation. Appropriate antibiotics given in the correct doses for the recommended duration is vital for satisfactory outcome to completely eliminate the infection and prevent recurrences. Medical therapy should be combined with surgical management when indicated. Rational and controlled antibiotic use in human, veterinary and agriculture practices is essential to counter the increasing resistance that is developing in Salmonella worldwide. Adherence to good food hygiene practices will help prevent infections. We describe a case series of NTS bacteraemia in patients with underlying compromised conditions detected over a period of six months in the Microbiology Department of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

An unusual case of sepsis due to Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden, an emerging pathogen of non-typhoidal salmonellosis

“…9 Co-infection with malaria, malnutrition, gastric hypoacidity, alteration of bowel flora, diabetes, malignancy, therapeutic immunosuppression, sickle cell disease and rheumatological disease may also predispose to invasive NTS. 10,11 Among non-typhoidal infections, Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden is identified as an emerging pathogen, especially in the South and Southeast Asian regions. 1,[12][13][14] Although reported cases and the number of outbreaks of S. Weltevreden are limited in Sri Lanka, several phylogenetic and phenotypic analytical studies have isolated the organism in food and well-water samples within the island.…”

Baseline titres of O, H and AH agglutinins to Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A in blood donors in Sri Lanka.

“…or food poisoning due to Salmonella Enteritidis22 , as these organisms share antigens with typhoidal…”