Salmonella (genus)

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria within the family Enterobacteriaceae, comprising two principal species: Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. Over 2,500 serovars of S. enterica are classified based on O (somatic), H (flagellar), and sometimes Vi (capsular) antigens. Salmonella causes a spectrum of illnesses in humans and animals including self-limited gastroenteritis (non-typhoidal strains) and systemic diseases like typhoid and paratyphoid fever (typhoidal strains). Transmission is primarily via ingestion of contaminated food or water. The organisms possess multiple virulence factors, including type III secretion systems that enable intracellular survival and immune evasion. Treatment is focused on broad-acting antibiotics for systemic and severe disease, but increasing antimicrobial resistance is a significant concern. Vaccines are available for typhoid fever. Since Salmonella refers to an entire bacterial genus and not a molecular target, it is not a canonical drug target in the context of receptor or enzyme-targeting drugs.

Other names

Salmonella spp.S. entericaS. bongoriSalmonella Typhi (for the serovar S. enterica serovar Typhi)Salmonella Typhimurium (for the serovar S. enterica serovar Typhimurium)Non-typhoidal Salmonella

Inhibition of bacterial DNA synthesis (e.g., fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin) Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis (e.g., β-lactams such as ampicillin, ceftriaxone) Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis (e.g., macrolides like azithromycin) Immune activation/preventive via vaccination (e.g., Ty21a, Vi polysaccharide)