Salmonella Salmonella cause diarrhea and systemic infections, which can be fatal in susceptible persons, such as the immuno-compromised, the very young, and the elderly. Animals used for food production are common carriers of salmonellae, which may subsequently contaminate foods such as meat, dairy products and eggs. Over the past decade, more than 500 outbreaks have been attributed to SE with over 70 deaths. In 1994, an estimated 224,000 people became ill from consuming ice cream in one outbreak alone. There are two major salmonella species enterica and bongori.
Pets can besalmonella carriers.
Treatment of uncomplicated gastroenteritis in otherwise healthy people with antibiotics is not advised but atnbiotic treatment is advised for those at increased risk of invasive disease. Multi-drug ressitant strains are common so that antibiotic treatment must be proceeded by culture of the bacteria and antibiotic testing. The bacterium, Campylobacter , is the most frequently identified cause of acute infectious diarrhea in developed countries and is the most commonly isolated bacterial intestinal pathogen in the United States. It has been estimated that between 170,000 and 2.1 million cases of campylobacteriosis occur each year with an associated 120-360 deaths. Unpasteurized milk and untreated water have also caused outbreaks of disease.