Article excerpts about the
causes of Salmonella enteritidis:
Unlike eggborne salmonellosis of past decades, the current epidemic
is due to intact and disinfected grade A eggs. Salmonella enteritidis
silently infects the ovaries of healthy appearing hens and contaminates
the eggs before the shells are formed.
Most types of Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of animals and birds and are transmitted to humans by contaminated foods of animal origin. Stringent procedures for cleaning and inspecting eggs were implemented in the 1970s and have made salmonellosis caused by external fecal contamination of egg shells extremely rare. However, unlike eggborne salmonellosis of past decades, the current epidemic is due to intact and disinfected grade A eggs. The reason for this is that Salmonella enteritidis silently infects the ovaries of healthy appearing hens and contaminates the eggs before the shells are formed.
Although most infected hens have been found in the northeastern United States, the infection also occurs in hens in other areas of the country. In the Northeast, approximately one in 10,000 eggs may be internally contaminated. In other parts of the United States, contaminated eggs appear less common. Only a small number of hens seem to be infected at any given time, and an infected hen can lay many normal eggs while only occasionally laying an egg contaminated with the Salmonella bacterium. (Source: excerpt from Salmonella enteritidis: DBMD)
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Salmonella enteritidis may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Salmonella enteritidis.
Gastroenteritis has many possible causes, including:
❑ bacteria (responsible for acute food poisoning), such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridium botulinum, C. perfringens, and Escherichia coli
❑ amebae, especially Entamoeba histolytica
❑ parasites, such as Ascaris, Enterobius, and Trichinella spiralis
❑ viruses (may be responsible for traveler’s diarrhea) such as adenoviruses, echoviruses, or coxsackieviruses
❑ ingestion of toxins, including plants or toadstools
❑ drug reactions; for example, to antibiotics
❑ enzyme deficiencies
❑ food allergens.
The bowel reacts to any of these enterotoxins with hypermotility, producing severe diarrhea and secondary depletion of intracellular fluid. Chronic gastroenteritis is usually the result of another GI disorder such as ulcerative colitis.
Diarrhea accounts for as many as 3% of pediatric office visits and 10% of hospitalizations for patients younger than age 5. Each year, gastroenteritis affects every adult and accounts for 8 million physician visits and 250,000 hospitalizations. Traveler’s diarrhea affects 20% to 25% of people traveling from industrialized countries to developing countries.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Gastroenteritis has many possible causes, including the following:
❑ bacteria (responsible for acute food poisoning) — Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridium botulinum, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens
❑ amoebae — especially Entamoeba histolytica
❑ parasites — Ascaris, Enterobius, Trichinella spiralis
❑ viruses (may be responsible for traveler’s diarrhea) — adenovirus, echovirus, or coxsackievirus
❑ ingestion of toxins — plants or toadstools (mushrooms)
❑ drug reactions — antibiotics
❑ enzyme deficiencies
❑ food allergens.
The bowel reacts to any of these enterotoxins with hypermotility, producing severe diarrhea and secondary depletion of intracellular fluid.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
3 species are responsible for most human salmonellosis: Salmonella enteritidis (>2,000 serotypes exist), Salmonella choleraesuis, and S. typhi.
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
Nontyphoidal salmonella refers to noninvasive disease. The most common illness caused by nontyphoidal salmonella is gastroenteritis. These organisms are found principally in food and animals. A percentage of food products, including eggs and chicken, are contaminated with salmonella strains. Pets, including turtles and iguanas, are also a well-described reservoir for nontyphoidal salmonella.
Once infected, prolonged excretion can occur, particularly in children. Almost half of children younger than 5 years of age continue to shed salmonella months after initial infection. It has been found that antibiotic therapy can actually prolong this excretion. It has been speculated that antibiotics suppress the protective effects of indigenous intestinal bacteria, which results in the continued survival and excretion of the salmonella bacteria. Unlike with S. typhi, chronic infection does not occur. Routine administration of antibiotics for salmonella gastroenteritis is not recommended because they are not thought to reduce clinical illness and can prolong excretion of the organism.
Source: Pediatric Infectious Disease, 2004
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