Renal Abscess Caused by Salmonella Typhi

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Salmonella typhi is a significant human pathogen responsible for typhoid fever, a systemic illness.
• While typically causing intestinal infections, S. typhi can manifest in various extraintestinal sites, including serious conditions like meningitis and hepatic abscesses.
• Renal involvement secondary to S. typhi infection is exceptionally uncommon.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of a renal abscess in a 10-year-old child.
• The child presented without fever or a history suggestive of enteric fever.
• The causative agent identified in the renal abscess was Salmonella typhi.

Findings:

• This is the first documented instance of Salmonella typhi being isolated from a renal abscess.
• The S. typhi isolate demonstrated resistance to quinolone antibiotics.
• The patient was afebrile and lacked a typical clinical history of typhoid fever.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering unusual presentations of S. typhi infections, even in the absence of classic symptoms.
• The identification of quinolone-resistant S. typhi in a renal abscess highlights evolving antimicrobial resistance patterns.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for S. typhi in diverse clinical scenarios, particularly in cases of renal abscess, and consider appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies.