Salmonella gastroenteritis is probably the most common zoonotic infection afflicting man. Its incidence in the United States is established at 2 million cases annually. The salmonella organism is commonly found in animals, in fact, pet turtles have been associated with salmonella disease so often that interstate shipment had been banned. In man, infection with the organism usually produces only gastroenteritis.
Bacteremia is an occasional sequela, however.
Children have a higher incidence of the disease, probably as a result of their close and frequent contacts with animals. Salmonella gastroenteritis is usually a self-limiting disease, and antibiotics are rarely required. The infection is usually asymptomatic in animals. As far as is known, the only sources of human infection are cat feces, raw or undercooked meat, and congenital transmission from an infected mother. By advocating regular hand washing and adequate cooking of meat, we can reduce our chances of exposing ourselves and others in the household to toxoplasmosis.