Microbe of the Week Salmonella typhi Gram-negative, motile, mesophilic enteric bacterium Causative agent of typhoid fever (aka “enteric fever”

Microbe of the Week Salmonella typhi Gram-negative, motile, mesophilic enteric bacterium Causative agent of typhoid fever (aka “enteric fever”

Microbe of the Week Salmonella typhi Gram-negative, motile, mesophilic enteric bacterium Causative agent of typhoid fever (aka “enteric fever”

Sources Humans are sole reservoir (does not infect animals) Carriers may harbor the organism in their gall bladder Contaminated food – by handlers (milk, sandwiches, meat, cake!) or … Contaminated water – e.g. shellfish in polluted waters Organism survives in shellfish up to 4 days, sea water up to 9 days, for weeks in sewage Transmission: mainly from water contaminated with human waste or human carriers

Typhoid Mary's real name was Mary Mallon. Irish immigrant who made her living as a cook Mallon was the first person found to be a "healthy carrier" of typhoid fever in the United States. She herself was not sick – but over 30% of the bacteria in her feces were S. typhi Mallon is attributed with infecting 47 people with typhoid fever, three of whom died. Interred on a N. Brother Island, NY for 26 years till her death in 1938

Typhoid Mary's real name was Mary Mallon. Irish immigrant who made her living as a cook Mallon was the first person found to be a "healthy carrier" of typhoid fever in the United States. She herself was not sick – but over 30% of the bacteria in her feces were S. typhi Mallon is attributed with infecting 47 people with typhoid fever, three of whom died. Interred on a N. Brother Island, NY for 26 years till her death in 1938

Typhoid Mary's real name was Mary Mallon. Irish immigrant who made her living as a cook Mallon was the first person found to be a "healthy carrier" of typhoid fever in the United States. She herself was not sick – but over 30% of the bacteria in her feces were S. typhi Mallon is attributed with infecting 47 people with typhoid fever, three of whom died. Interred on a N. Brother Island, NY for 26 years till her death in 1938