Invasive non-Typhi Salmonella disease in Africa

Clin Infect Dis. 2009 Aug 15;49(4):606-11. doi: 10.1086/603553.

Abstract

Invasive non-Typhi Salmonella is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is a leading cause of bloodstream infection. Some host risk factors have been established, but little is known about environmental reservoirs and predominant modes of transmission, so prevention strategies are underdeveloped. Although foodborne transmission from animals to humans predominates in high-income countries, it has been postulated that transmission between humans, both within and outside health care facilities, may be important in sub-Saharan Africa. Antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol is common among non-Typhi Salmonella strains; therefore, wider use of alternative agents may be warranted for empirical therapy. Development of vaccines targeting the leading invasive non-Typhi Salmonella serotypes Typhimurium and Enteritidis is warranted. The clinical presentation of non-Typhi Salmonella bacteremia is nonspecific and, in the absence of blood culture, may be confused with other febrile illnesses, such as malaria. Much work remains to be done to understand and control invasive non-Typhi Salmonella disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Salmonella / classification*
  • Salmonella / drug effects
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification*
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / epidemiology
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / microbiology
  • Salmonella Infections / epidemiology*
  • Salmonella Infections / microbiology*
  • Salmonella Infections / transmission
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / epidemiology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / microbiology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / transmission

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents