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Salmonella virchow: abscess former amongst the contemporary invasive Salmonellae?
D Nathwani1, A J Morris, R B Laing
1Infection Unit City Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Abstract:
Abscess formation associated with salmonella infections has long been recognized--but without implicating a particular serotype. The pathogenicity, invasiveness and increasingly frequent isolation of Salmonella virchow in the UK is well established. It's propensity to abscess formation is, however, less well recognised. We report 5 patients with abscesses due to S. virchow. This represents a disproportionate number of abscesses in relation to the salmonella isolations in North East Scotland during the 5-year period under scrutiny. We suggest that this organism should be considered as aetiologically relevant even where there is no history of preceding gastrointestinal infection.
Insights
Salmonella Virchow infections can cause abscesses, even without gastrointestinal symptoms. This finding highlights the importance of considering this specific Salmonella serotype in abscess diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Abscess formation is a known complication of Salmonella infections.
- The specific serotype responsible for abscesses has not been consistently identified.
- Salmonella Virchow is increasingly isolated in the UK, with established pathogenicity and invasiveness.
Observation:
- Five patients with abscesses caused by Salmonella Virchow were identified.
- This represents a disproportionately high number of abscesses linked to S. virchow isolations in North East Scotland over five years.
Findings:
- Salmonella Virchow demonstrates a significant propensity for causing abscess formation.
- The organism can cause abscesses independently of preceding gastrointestinal infection.
Implications:
- Salmonella Virchow should be considered a potential cause of abscesses, even in the absence of typical Salmonella infection symptoms.
- This finding may alter diagnostic approaches for unexplained abscesses.