Salmonella enteritis: a cause for ascites

A differential diagnosis of ascites includes many different entities, both benign and malignant. However, no cases of Salmonella enteritis or other infectious enteritis-causing ascites have previously been described. We present the case of a 21-yr-old female admitted with abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by Salmonella enteritis. An abdominal and pelvic sonogram revealed a moderate amount of free fluid in the pelvis. We conclude that Salmonella enteritis is in fact a potential cause of free intraperitoneal fluid, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ascites under appropriate clinical circumstances.