Salmonella

Definition

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections in humans and animals. These bacteria are known for their ability to cause foodborne illness through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Salmonella species are part of the Enterobacteriaceae family and are facultative anaerobes.
2. The two main species that infect humans are Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori.
3. Salmonella can survive acidic environments, enabling them to persist in the stomach's low pH before infecting the intestines.
4. Common symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, typically appearing 6 hours to 6 days after exposure.
5. Diagnosis of Salmonella infection is often confirmed via stool culture on selective media like Hektoen enteric agar.

Review Questions

• What family do Salmonella species belong to?
• How does Salmonella survive the acidic environment of the stomach?
• What type of media is commonly used for diagnosing a Salmonella infection?

Related terms

Enterobacteriaceae:

A large family of Gram-negative bacteria that includes many pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.

Facultative Anaerobe: An organism that can make ATP by aerobic respiration if oxygen is present but can also switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration if oxygen is absent.

Hektoen Enteric Agar: A selective medium used for isolating and differentiating enteric pathogens including Salmonella and Shigella.