Cardiovascular complications of Salmonella enteritidis infection

Salmonella has the ability to adhere to damaged endothelium, predisposing individuals to complications rarely seen with other Gram-negative organisms. Potential complications include endocarditis, infected atheroma or aneurysms, myocarditis and pericarditis. The present report describes two cases of Salmonella enteritidis-associated cardiovascular disease. Patient 1 is a young adult who presented with myopericarditis complicated by recurrent cardiac arrests following return from a tropical climate. This patient was successfully treated with a 14-day course of ciprofloxacin. Patient 2 is an elderly man who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta complicating S enteritidis bacteremia, and died of this complication. Recognition of potential complications of salmonellosis, especially in individuals with risk factors, is paramount in correctly diagnosing and managing these patients.