Recurrent intraabdominal abscess caused by Salmonella paratyphi C

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Clinical Case Study

Background:

• Salmonella paratyphi C infections are rare, particularly in regions like Israel and the United States.
• Recurrent intraabdominal abscesses are uncommon, and prolonged dormancy of the causative agent is seldom observed.

Observation:

• A patient presented with three intraabdominal abscesses over a span of 45 years.
• The latter two abscesses were definitively linked to Salmonella paratyphi C infection.
• Significant time intervals of 25 and 20 years occurred between successive abscesses.

Findings:

• The patient experienced recurrent intraabdominal abscesses attributed to Salmonella paratyphi C.
• The infection demonstrated a prolonged dormant period, with the patient remaining asymptomatic for decades.
• This represents the first reported case of recurrent Salmonella paratyphi C infection with such extended dormancy.

Implications:

• Highlights the potential for prolonged dormancy of Salmonella paratyphi C, challenging typical infection timelines.
• Suggests the need for considering rare, long-dormant infections in the differential diagnosis of recurrent intraabdominal abscesses.
• Underscores the unique clinical presentation and epidemiological rarity of this specific Salmonella serovar's recurrence.