Micro| Salmonella Species

3.24 Salmonella Species Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Salmonella are gram-negative bacteria that cause gastrointestinal disease. They have flagella that enable them to move around and infect cells, and can live inside macrophages. There are two categories of salmonella species: typhoidal and non-typhoidal. Typhoidal salmonella, such as salmonella typhi, cause typhoid fever and are usually acquired through contaminated water. Non-typhoidal salmonella, such as salmonella enteritidis, are usually acquired through contaminated poultry or reptiles. Typhoidal salmonella cause high fever and a pink spotted rash, while non-typhoidal salmonella cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Both types of salmonella require large quantities of bacteria to make you sick, and supportive care is usually all that is required. Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin are the go-to antibiotics for typhoidal salmonella.