ABSTRACT
Salmonella typhi is a Gram-negative bacterium causing typhoid fever. It is acquired by eating contaminated food. The organism colonizes the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and penetrates the epithelial cells into the lamina propria where it is taken up by macrophages and dendritic cells. The organism is an intracellular pathogen and remains inside infected cells avoiding the immune system. It produces a systemic illness with a high temperature, general myalgia, cough and constipation. Other symptoms may develop depending on the organ systems mainly affected. Diagnosis is by isolation of the organism from blood cultures or if a chronic carrier from the faeces. Treatment is complicated by drug resistance.
