Salmonella enterica

• A Gram-negative bacillus belonging to the diverse family of Enterobacteriacae (coliforms). 

• There are over 3,000 different serotypes. 

• Most salmonellae cause gastro-enteritis, but some cause severe systemic disease – enteric fever (serotypes Typhi, Paratyphi A, B, C).

• Infection control precautions are required (enteric precautions).

• Transmission is by the oral faecal route, so hand hygiene (patient and carer) is important. 

• Gastro-enteritis is diagnosed by stool culture. 

• Blood and stool cultures are required for diagnosing enteric fever. 

Main clinical infections:

• Gastroenteritis

• Typhoid

• Septicaemia

• Rarely meningitis

• Osteomyelitis

Usually sensitive to:

Note: antibiotic treatment of salmonella gastroenteritis is only recommended for elderly patients, those with invasive disease or typhoid/paratyphoid.

• Ciprofloxacin

• Chloramphenicol

• Ceftriaxone

Usually resistant to:

• Amoxicillin

• Trimethoprim.

Page last edited: 12/03/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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