A pain in the neck: Salmonella spp. as an unusual cause of a thyroid abscess. A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background Thyroid gland infections are rare. Their incidence is estimated to be less than 1% in immunocompromised hosts. Most common pathogens isolated are Gram positive aerobic cocci. Infections with Gram negative facultative aerobes such as Salmonella are rare. Case presentation A 55-year-old female with type II diabetes mellitus and a history of a colloid right thyroid lobe nodule presented with neck pain and fever. She was found to have a thyroid abscess 2 weeks following a non-specific diarrheal illness. A needle aspiration for symptomatic and diagnostic purposes was performed. Cultures grew Salmonella enterica serotype Heidelberg. She was treated with a 12-week course of oral antibiotics and serial aspiration. Conclusion A thyroid abscess is a rare occurrence; however, a high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis. The management is directed at minimizing morbidity. The mainstay treatment is medical, but surgery is sometimes necessary to achieve adequate source control, particularly when complications arise.

Characterization of a Broad-Host-Range Lytic Phage SHWT1 Against Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella and Evaluation of Its Therapeutic Efficacy in vitro and in vivo

“…Salmonella can cause numerous diseases, ranging from a self-limiting gastroenteritis to typhoid-like disease to systemic infections, known as salmonellosis. In addition, Salmonella is a leading etiological agent associated with outbreaks of food-borne illness worldwide, commonly resulting in global economic losses (1)(2)(3). Animals, including poultry are a main reservoir for Salmonella, such as the prevalent Salmonella serovars Salmonella Pullorum (S. Pullorum), Salmonella Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum), Salmonella Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) and Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Non‐typhoidal Salmonella bacteremia in a healthy young man after a maxillary cystectomy: A case report

“…7 On the other hand, the host factors include old age and an immunocompromised state, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, malignant tumors, post-transplantation immune suppression, diabetes mellitus, and the prolonged use of steroids. 4,7 Extraintestinal NTS infections occur through the bloodstream or lymphatics. The hematogenous spread of the bacteria occurs from the gastrointestinal tract, and distant infections are established by the bacteria being seeded at distant sites.…”

Clinical Analysis of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis in 18 Children

“… 10 Laboratory examinations may show leukocytosis and elevated ESR and CRP levels in some children without specific serum markers. 18 Thyroid function tests are usually normal. 6 Nevertheless, AST could contribute to thyrotoxicosis by destroying thyroid follicles and releasing thyroid hormones, which is a common finding in SAT.…”