A group of fraternity brothers show up at the student health clinic with complaints abdominal cramping and diarrhea of recent onset. There is no history of recent travel. A few days ago, the fraternity hosted a picnic with one of the sororities on campus. The main dish was barbecue chicken.
Labs: Stool sample contains gram negative rods and PMN leukocytes, does not ferment lactose. Produces H2S.
Discussion: Diagnosis of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella enteritidis is due to analyzing the labs and clinical presentation. Unlike Shigella, Salmonella enteritidis is motile and produces H2S. The dose required for infection by Salmonella enteritidis is much greater than the dose required for infection by Shigella. An infection presents with watery and possibly bloody diarrhea. The incubation period may last up to two days and is followed by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route. Salmonella enteritidis will invade the epithelium of the small intestine and can become systemic in immunocompromised patients. This invasion will result in bloody diarrhea and the presents of PMNs.
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