All of us in early childhood know that fresh fruits and vegetables can be a host to dangerous pathogens. From our recent article about the importance of washing food you probably remember that one of these dangerous bacteria are the so-called Salmonella. Penetrating into the human body, they cause fever, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms, and in severe cases can cause dehydration and death. Caused by these bacteria is a disease called salmonellosis and is usually treated with antibiotics, but in the African Republic of the Congo has been found a new species of bacteria that is not afraid of drugs.
In the Republic of Congo is home to over 4 million people
The bacteria of the genus Salmonella there are many different types that cause the human body a different degree of harm. For example, the bacteria Salmonella typhi cause typhoid fever — an infectious disease accompanied by prolonged fever, headache, nausea, and pain in the abdomen. Some patients may experience rash, therefore, in Russia, this disease was also known as “fever spots”.
The cause of salmonellosis
One of the most common types is the so-called Salmonella Typhimurium. It is the cause of intestinal infections worldwide, but especially to suffer are the Africans in these regions are recorded every day around 3.4 million cases. However, the biggest danger for people is members of the species Typhimurium ST313 from the group because they are not afraid of most drugs.
Bacteria of the species Salmonella Typhimurium
Recently, scientists from the Belgian city of Antwerp took samples of these Salmonella from patients in three different cities of the Republic of the Congo. To their unpleasant surprise, some of the samples was observed resistance to such antibiotics as azithromycin and ciprofloxacin. Resistant bacteria compared with other groups, scientists have found that they emerged in 2004 and has gradually gained strength and stability.
By the way, Salmonella can be the cause of the fall of the ancient Aztecs
Over time Salmonella have become so clever that they got rid of their bacterial flagellum, which helped them to move. Yes, they lost the mobility, but in this form, human immune cells can find and destroy — this significantly increased their survival. In addition, they have lost their other abilities and instead got a high adaptation to life inside a person.
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As Salmonella are on the human body?
Once in the human body with contaminated vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat, Salmonella is located in the small intestine. They colonise the intestinal wall and begin to excrete toxic substances. They lead to rapid loss of fluids, disorders of the blood vessels and damage the nervous system. Such an effect becomes the cause of the elevated temperature, vomiting and other symptoms.
Be careful with the milk, eggs and meat — they can be infected by Salmonella
According to the world health organization, in most cases, salmonellosis is, after 2-7 days. Patients often recover without special treatment, but when symptoms persist be sure to consult a doctor. As a rule, doctors try to manage without antimicrobials, but children and elderly people with weakened immune systems they are prescribed.