Vertebral discitis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Montevideo infection

Salmonellosis is a common cause of foodborne illness worldwide, manifesting as non-invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis, invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis, and typhoid fever. It also rarely presents as Salmonella osteomyelitis in children with hemoglobinopathies and immunocompromised adults and even rarer osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent host without significant risk factors. Our case is of a 38-year-old immunocompetent male without significant risk factors presented with biopsy proven Salmonella vertebral discitis due to exposure to contaminated and undercooked poultry. It illustrates the importance of thorough and complete history taking even in immunocompetent patients and early recognition with prompt targeted treatment of Salmonella osteomyelitis/discitis to prevent unfavorable outcomes.