Salmonella typhimurium

Salmonella typhimurium (also: salmonella enterica enterica ser. typhimurium) is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium and belongs to the pathogenic enterobacteria.

Salmonella typhimurium causes inflammation of the intestinal tract (also known as nosocomial infection) with symptoms including the following:

  • Diarrhea 

  • Abdominal pain

  • Fever

  • Nausea, vomiting

  • Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)

  • Endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart)

  • Sepsis

Salmonella typhimurium is found worldwide in the environment as well as in the digestive tract of various animals. The salmonellosis caused by the bacterium is one of the most important notifiable gastrointestinal diseases in Germany.

Relevance of pathogen in transmission in endoscopy

  • Gastroenterology: High

  • Pulmonology: Not relevant

  • Ear, nose, and throat: Not relevant

  • Urology: Not relevant

Relevance for endoscope surveillance

  • High concern organism

Transmission route

Infection occurs via the consumption of contaminated foods of animal origin, particularly eggs, raw milk products, beef, or poultry. Fecal-oral transmission via humans and animals as well as contact infections are also possible.

Resistance to antibiotics

Salmonella typhimurium displays a reduced susceptibility up to multi-resistance against sulfonamides, tetracyclines, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, among others.