SALMONELLA
This is a Gram negative bacillus that can be found in the gut of humans and almost all animals throughout the world.
Disease
Gastroenteritis is
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caused by many serotypes of Salmonella enterica
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relatively common in the community
-
no seasonal incidence
-
asymptomatic individuals may be long term carriers
Typhoid is
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typhoid caused by Salmonella typhi (not usually transmitted by endoscopy)
Mode of transmission
Salmonella spp. that cause gastroenteritis are
transmitted by the faecal-oral route most commonly via food such as
eggs, meats and dairy products. The most likely reservoirs of endoscopy
related health care associated infections with this organism are other
patients.
Significance in endoscopy
Historically, salmonella and related species have been
the most common causes of infections transmitted by endoscopy. Many of
the older literature reports of such infections occurred with cleaning
and disinfection regimens that would not be considered acceptable by
today's standards. Some reports of salmonella outbreaks have been
associated with inadequate cleaning of accessories, particularly the
failure to adequately ultrasonically clean spiral wound wire
accessories. Increasing chemical immersion time was ineffective in at
least one of these outbreaks and the problem was only terminated when
proper cleaning procedures were employed.
