Bacteremia caused by salmonella poona in a healthy adult in Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection is a major pathogen causing gastroenteritis among immunocompetent adults. NTS infection is mainly transmitted by contaminated food and water, but some cases are transmitted by animal contact. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Poona (S. Poona) is an NTS usually transmitted by reptiles, and cases including outbreaks of gastroenteritis have been reported previously. However, invasive infections due to this organism among immunocompetent adults are rare. We herein report a case of a 39-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for a fever and headache. Blood cultures were positive for S. Poona, although he did not recall any exposure to reptiles. He was treated successfully with intravenous ceftriaxone without any subsequent complications. This case implies that NTS bacteremia can occur in immunocompetent adults, and the diagnosis may be challenging since there may be no clear exposure or focal physical signs.