[Pathogenesis of salmonella infections in humans]

The Public Health Laboratories in Germany have not only been isolating Salmonella species in general in increasing numbers during the last three years but observe especially a steep increase in the isolation rate of S. enteritidis. Epidemiological analyses indicate the involvement of chicken and eggs as frequent sources of the infectious agents. Although the clinical course of the disease in most cases is characterized by diarrhoea only, enteric fever and bacteremia do occur rather often. The latter applies especially to immunocompromised patients, to infants and to the elderly. The number of fatal cases is probably grossly underestimated because bacteriological tests are often not performed in old patients. The new epidemiological situation as well as the severe course of the disease in many cases lead physicians to strictly claim for food free of S. enteritidis.