Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog on December 6, 2024
Have your ever heard of the Salmonella bongori bacteria?
If your answer is no. You are not alone.
While most people have likely heard of Salmonella, the species most people think about when it comes to that germ is Salmonella enterica. This is because this species of Salmonella bacteria are more commonly associated with human infection.
It’s the one that hits the news. The one that is responsible just about all human Salmonella infections.
If you’ve been diagnosed with salmonellosis (a Salmonella bacterial infection), chances are it was the Salmonella enterica species that made you sick.
Salmonella bongori mostly comes up with scientists, and potentially exotic veterinarians. This is because it primarily affects cold blooded animals. Think frogs, lizards, and snakes.
However, this species can still impact human health. It just doesn’t happen on the scale that Salmonella enterica occurs.
Researchers recently discovered there is more to this species than meets the eye. Err. Microscope.
Why microscope?
These germs are so small, you can’t see them without specialized equipment or laboratory tests designed to detect them.
But first. What is Salmonella?
For the purpose of this discussion, let’s explore Salmonella bongori symptoms, when to call a doctor, potential complications, and who is most vulnerable to infection.
Salmonella infections, known as salmonellosis, happen when Salmonella bacteria enter the digestive system. This happens when you consume something contaminated with the bacteria or touch something contaminated with it and touch your mouth or eat.
Pets can carry Salmonella bacteria on their bodies or in their poop. If you do not wash your hands after handling pets, you may become sick with a Salmonella infection.
Symptoms of both species of Salmonella bacteria are quite similar in humans. However, this infection is more likely to be Salmonella enterica in humans. Though rare cases of Salmonella bongori have been observed.
Common symptoms include:
These symptoms often begin between six hours and six days after exposure to something contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Most people feel better within about a week (four to seven days).
Most people experience symptoms in as little as six hours and up to six days after exposure.
Most people recover on their own without medical assistance. But in some cases, illness may become so severe that medical intervention or even hospitalization is needed to fully recover.
Call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
While anyone exposed to Salmonella bacteria may become sick, certain groups of people are more likely to become sick if exposed or experience more severe illness if infected.
Potential Salmonella complications include bacteremia, irritable bowel syndrome, and reactive arthritis.
Salmonella infections that leave the digestive system can affect many different tissues in the body. This can cause several different kinds of infections.
Potential bacteremia infections include:
Irritable bowel syndrome is another common complication of Salmonella illness. In some cases, it can take quite some time before bowel habits return to normal.
Reactive arthritis, is a common complication of Salmonella illness. It’s a condition affecting the collagen in the joints, eyes, and urethra. When the infection impacts the collagen, you may experience joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and pain during urination. Reactive arthritis symptoms can be persistent, lasting for months or even years in some people.
These higher risk groups often have a compromised immune system or other factors that make them more susceptible to illness and complications.
These groups include:
Now that you know a bit about this bad bug. Let’s get back to the research.
It seems that Salmonella bongori shares significant genetic information with both Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, giving those who know how to look for it a glimpse into the evolution of Salmonella bacteria species.
Since there is a stronger clinical connection between humans and Salmonella enterica than bongori, more research has been performed on the former than the latter. However, these bacteria are thought to come from the common ancestor, E. coli.
This is the topic of a recent research article called, Salmonella bongori Provides insights into the Evolution of Salmonellae.
Salmonella enterica appears to have diverged from E. coli around 100 million years ago, leaving genetic markers consistent with Salmonella bongori and E. coli intact. In addition to these common genetic markers, new ones not found in its Salmonella bongori counterparts suggest that Salmonella enterica continued to evolve after the split.
As it turns out, Salmonella bongori may even be the “missing” link between the two pathogens. Or rather, the overlooked link.
According to genetic data, both species contain a good amount of E. coli genetic markers. Salmonella bongori more so than Salmonella enterica. Additionally, Salmonella enterica contains many of the same genetic markers as Salmonella bongori that are NOT in common with E. coli.
So what exactly does this research mean for future discoveries?
Quite a bit, actually.
A potential overlapping vaccine. Understanding future mutations. Antibiotic formulation. A jumping point for additional research.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Researchers Discover Details Linking Salmonella bongori to E. coli Ancestors,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)