Salmonella and Related Disorders

Flashcards focusing on key vocabulary and concepts related to Salmonella and its associated diseases.

Salmonella

A genus of bacteria that can cause various diseases in humans and animals.

Typhoidal Salmonella

Species of Salmonella that cause typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, primarily S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella

Species of Salmonella that cause foodborne illness, primarily S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis.

Typhoid Fever

A disease caused by S. Typhi, characterized by prolonged fever, abdominal pain, and various complications.

Infective Dose

The amount of pathogen required to infect an individual; for S. Typhi, it is approximately 10^5 cfu.

Faecal Oral Route

Method of transmission for diseases, where pathogens are spread through contaminated food or water.

Enteric Fever

Another name for typhoid fever caused by S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi, sometimes accompanied by bacteraemia.

Bacteraemia

The presence of bacteria in the blood, which can lead to severe systemic infections.

Widal Test

A serological test for diagnosing typhoid fever by measuring antibodies against Salmonella antigens.

Chloramphenicol

An antibiotic commonly used to treat typhoid fever, especially in cases of resistant organisms.

TAB Vaccine

A killed vaccine used for immunization against typhoid fever.

Food Poisoning

An illness caused by consuming contaminated food, often resulting from S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms; for food poisoning, it is typically 6-48 hours.

Supportive Treatment

Care provided to alleviate symptoms while the immune system fights off the infection.

Rose Spots

Small, pink spots that appear on the abdomen of individuals infected with typhoid fever.

Empirical Treatment

Administration of treatment based on experience and clinical judgment before specific test results are available.

Safe Water Supply

Access to water that is free from contamination, essential for preventing diseases like typhoid.

Leukopenia

A decrease in white blood cells, which can occur during severe infections, including typhoid fever.