The salmonella bacteria has an interesting life cycle. In order to reproduce or even survive the bacteria needs to have a host, as only certain strains can live for semi-long periods outside a host body. Once the bacteria have entered the body, either through eating contaminated foods or touching infected feces, the bacteria begin to grow.
Some animals that carry salmonella for long periods of time are either resistant to the bacteria or just long-term hosts. Animal and bird feces have salmonella bacteria in them even after the bacteria is no longer active inside them.
The bacteria invades the walls on the intestinal track, thus causing inflammation and damage to the body, causing a variety of symptoms. The liver and spleen have a higher concentration of salmonella while the blood, heart, kidneys, gallbladder, and pancreas have much lower concentrations. The gallbladder, however, is the main site a carriage. If left untreated or serious the infection can spread through the bloodstream to other organs, joints, placenta or fetus, and membranes around the brain. The toxic substances released by the bacteria can effect the rest of the body, as well, damaging it even further.
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