Immunity to Salmonella Infection

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In spite of over half a decade of research on the problems of immunity to Salmonella infection, our understanding of the subject is still incomplete, and in many cases, controversial. Interest in the organism and host defenses to it stems from the considerable morbidity and mortality associated with human infection by S. typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever (1). This organism, as well as S. paratyphi A and B, produce a clinical syndrome in man which is termed “enteric fever” (2). These bacteria gain access to the body through the oral cavity, penetrate the intestinal epithelium, enter the circulation, and are trapped by the elements of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver and spleen where they multiply, presumably intracellularly, in macrophages. Thus, enteric fevers are systemic illnesses, with dissemination of the organisms to the internal organs. As the only natural host of S. typhi is man, a suitable experimental model is not readily available. Chimpanzees can be employed, but their cost and scarcity limits their utility. Although S. typhi is not naturally virulent for mice, hog gastric mucin has been used to coat the organism, and artificially increase its mouse virulence.