Long-Term Effects of Salmonella Poisoning

Written by Heather Gloria

05 December, 2018

According to the World Health Organization, salmonella bacteria is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness around the world. In the United States, 1.4 million infections result in over 150,000 doctor visits, 15,000 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths each year. Although salmonella poisoning usually causes mild, self-limited gastroenteritis ("salmonellosis"), in some cases long-term effects may result.

Metastatic Infections

In rare cases, salmonella escapes the intestine to enter the bloodstream. Bloodstream infection may itself be fatal and can produce long-term complications when salmonella spreads (metastasizes) from the bloodstream to infect other areas of the body. Examples of metastatic salmonella infections include infection of the heart valves and lining of the heart (endocarditis), the bone (osteomyelitis), the kidneys (pyelonephritis), and other soft tissues including the brain. Typically, these infections are slow-growing and take much longer to appear than the 12 to 72 hours associated with classic salmonella gastroenteritis. They occur rarely in healthy adults and are much more common in people with compromised immune systems (such as those with AIDS, cancer, sickle cell anemia) or multiple medical problems.

In rare cases, salmonella escapes the intestine to enter the bloodstream.
They occur rarely in healthy adults and are much more common in people with compromised immune systems (such as those with AIDS, cancer, sickle cell anemia) or multiple medical problems.

Autoimmune Disease

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After salmonella exposure, the immune system makes antibodies to the bacteria. Unfortunately, salmonella bacteria resembles a cell surface marker present in many people. The result is an autoimmune disease cause Reiter’s Syndrome, which produces chronic joint pain (arthritis), eye irritation (conjunctivitis with or without iritis) and problems with urination (urethritis). In a 2001 study presented in the journal Clinics in Infectious Disease, nearly one-third of people who were infected with Salmonella Dnteridis, one of the most common salmonella species, developed arthritis that persisted for up to 6 months, and nearly 50 percent reported recurrence after the initial episode resolved.

After salmonella exposure, the immune system makes antibodies to the bacteria.
The result is an autoimmune disease cause Reiter’s Syndrome, which produces chronic joint pain (arthritis), eye irritation (conjunctivitis with or without iritis) and problems with urination (urethritis).

Chronic Carriers

In some cases, individuals recover from salmonella infection to become chronic carriers. The most famous example of a human chronic carrier of salmonella is "Typhoid Mary." J.W. Leavitt's 1996 book "Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public's Health" recounts the true tale of the asymptomatic Irish-American cook linked to 54 cases and four deaths in nine different typhoid fever epidemics in early 1900s New York City.

Nowadays, chronic carrier states can usually be eradicated with an extended course of antibiotics, although individuals may be subject to restrictions on the type of work they may perform in the interim. Most chronic carriers are asymptomatic. However, patients with AIDS and other types of immune compromise may suffer repeated bouts of recurrence before antibiotics are effective.

In some cases, individuals recover from salmonella infection to become chronic carriers.
However, patients with AIDS and other types of immune compromise may suffer repeated bouts of recurrence before antibiotics are effective.