Salmonella species are an uncommon cause of mycotic aneurysms and invasive sepsis, with human infection most often acquired through ingestion, and parenteral transmission being exceedingly rare. We describe a middle-aged farmer who developed Salmonella bacteremia and an infected infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm following an accidental needle-stick injury while vaccinating cattle. Blood cultures and intraoperative tissue specimens yielded Salmonella species. Despite appropriate targeted antimicrobial therapy, the disease progressed rapidly, resulting in rupture of the abdominal aorta that required emergent aortic ligation and axillo-bifemoral bypass, complicated by bowel ischemia and necrosis necessitating left hemicolectomy, colostomy, subsequent re-resection, and acute kidney failure requiring hemodialysis. After multiple surgical interventions, prolonged intensive care, and extended antimicrobial treatment, the patient eventually stabilized and was discharged in satisfactory condition, underscoring the aggressive nature of Salmonella-associated vascular infections and the need to consider rare zoonotic and occupational transmission routes in agricultural workers.

Empyema is most often associated with bacterial pneumonia, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the predominant pathogen. Salmonella species are a rare cause of pleural empyema, typically occurring in immunocompromised individuals. We report a case of Salmonella enteritidis empyema in a 16-year-old male with a history of bronchial asthma but no other known risk factors. The patient presented with a 10-day history of right-sided pleuritic chest pain, fever, and dyspnea. Imaging revealed a complex right-sided pleural effusion with an air-fluid level. Initial thoracentesis was unsuccessful, and a chest tube drained hematopurulent fluid. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, clinical response was inadequate, prompting surgical intervention. Due to intraoperative bronchospasm, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was converted to open thoracotomy with pleurectomy. Cultures from the pleural fluid identified S. enteritidis. The patient recovered well and was discharged on oral antibiotics. Follow-up confirmed full clinical and radiological resolution. This case highlights the need to consider Salmonella as a potential cause of empyema even in immunocompetent adolescents. Early surgical intervention may be essential in refractory cases. Asthma, although not classically immunosuppressive, may predispose patients to invasive infections and warrants further investigation as a potential risk factor.

Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) is a nontyphoidal Salmonella serotype that can cause foodborne illness in a broad range of animals. In healthy individuals, S. Choleraesuis infections most often cause self-limiting acute gastroenteritis. However, more serious infections can develop and be associated with high mortality in immunocompromised patients. We report a 71-year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department with a 3-week history of fever and chest discomfort. Chest computed tomography revealed an infected aortic aneurysm in the distal aortic arch with an infected hematoma in the mediastinum. S. Choleraesuis was identified in both the blood cultures on admission and the hematoma specimen culture obtained from the surgical mediastinal drainage. Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy with thoracic endovascular aortic repair and surgical mediastinal drainage, the patient died of massive hematemesis due to an aortoesophageal fistula. S. Choleraesuis tends to invade the bloodstream, leading to bacteremia and infected aortic aneurysms. Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare but life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that may be due to an infected aortic aneurysm. To save the patient’s life, further studies on the proper management of infected aortic arch aneurysms complicated with aortoesophageal fistulas are needed. Not applicable. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-026-12654-7. Ampicillin (am" pi sil' in) is an oral, third generation penicillin that is one of the most commonly used antibiotics worldwide. Ampicillin has been available in the United States since the mid-1960s and continues to be widely used for bacterial infections in both children and adults. Ampicillin is indicated for mild-to-severe upper respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible agents, such as (but not limited to) Escherichia coli, Hemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenesis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus (non-penicillinase producing), Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Ampicillin is also used for pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis and uncomplicated gonorrhea. Ampicillin is available orally in multiple generic formulations as capsules of 250 and 500 mg and is usually given in doses of 250 to 500 mg every 6 to 8 hours for 7 to 14 days. Ampicillin is also available in parenteral form (intramuscular and intravenous) and recommended doses are 2 to 4 grams daily in divided doses given every 4 to 6 hours. Side effects are usually mild and self-limited and can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, and rash. Rare but potentially serious adverse events include hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, severe skin rash, Stevens Johnson syndrome, C. difficile diarrhea, neutropenia, aplastic anemia and thrombocytopenic purpura.

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, primarily affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised adults, particularly those living with HIV. Salmonella meningitis is rare, except in sub-Saharan Africa. Salmonella arizonae is associated with reptiles and exceptionally causes meningitis in humans. We present the case of an adult man living with HIV who presented five episodes of bacterial meningitis due to S. arizonae within a period of 8 months. The patient improved after performing cholecystectomy and with optimization of antiretroviral treatment and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Genomic study confirmed that S. arizonae is sensitive to antibiotics. This case illustrates a rare form of S. arizonae meningitis. The identity of the etiological agent was confirmed by next-generation sequencing analysis.

Splenic infarction is an uncommon diagnosis, often overlooked due to its non-specific clinical presentation. While a splenic abscess is common, infarction due to infective processes is rare. Among infections, Salmonella is infrequently implicated, and splenic infarct secondary to typhoid or paratyphoid fever is exceptionally rare. We report the case of a young adult man who presented with acute fever and pain in the abdomen and was subsequently diagnosed with splenic infarction. A meticulous diagnostic workup excluded common causes such as infective endocarditis, hematological malignancies, hypercoagulable states, and sickle cell disorder, ultimately identifying non-lactose fermenting colonies positive for Salmonella paratyphi A as the etiology. Recognition of such atypical abdominal complications of typhoid is essential in endemic areas to prevent missed diagnosis and optimize management.