Overview
Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis (iNTS) is a serious infection caused by Salmonella bacteria that are not the typhoid type. While non-typhoidal Salmonella usually causes food poisoning with diarrhea that goes away on its own, in invasive disease the bacteria spread beyond the gut into the bloodstream and other organs. This can lead to bloodstream infection (bacteremia), meningitis, pneumonia, bone infections, or abscesses in various parts of the body. The condition is considered rare in healthy individuals in high-income countries but is a significant problem in sub-Saharan Africa and among people with weakened immune systems. People most at risk include those with HIV/AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, sickle cell disease, very young children, elderly adults, and individuals with other conditions that weaken the immune system. Some people have rare inherited immune deficiencies that make them especially vulnerable to this infection. Symptoms often include high fever, chills, weight loss, and sometimes no diarrhea at all, which can make diagnosis tricky. The infection can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Treatment involves antibiotics, but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, particularly in Africa where multidrug-resistant strains are common. Commonly used antibiotics include fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin), third-generation cephalosporins (such as ceftriaxone), and azithromycin. Identifying and treating the underlying immune problem is also critical. Despite treatment, the death rate can be high, especially in resource-limited settings.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
High fever that does not go awayChills and sweatingFatigue and general weaknessWeight lossLoss of appetiteDiarrhea (not always present)Nausea and vomitingCough or difficulty breathing if lungs are affectedJoint or bone pain if bones are infectedHeadache and stiff neck if meningitis developsEnlarged spleen or liverConfusion or altered consciousness in severe casesSkin rash in some casesRecurrent infections
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsGlaxoSmithKline — PHASE2
International Vaccine Institute
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Effectiveness of Malaria Vaccines in Reducing the Risk of Invasive Non-typhoidal Salmonella Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the likely cause of my weakened immune system that led to this infection?,Should I or my family members be tested for a genetic immune deficiency?,How long will I need to take antibiotics, and is there a risk of the bacteria being resistant?,What are the signs that the infection is coming back, and when should I seek emergency care?,Are there dietary or lifestyle changes I should make to reduce my risk of reinfection?,Will I need long-term preventive antibiotics?,Are there any clinical trials or vaccines being developed that I might be eligible for?
Common questions about Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis
What is Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis?
Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis (iNTS) is a serious infection caused by Salmonella bacteria that are not the typhoid type. While non-typhoidal Salmonella usually causes food poisoning with diarrhea that goes away on its own, in invasive disease the bacteria spread beyond the gut into the bloodstream and other organs. This can lead to bloodstream infection (bacteremia), meningitis, pneumonia, bone infections, or abscesses in various parts of the body. The condition is considered rare in healthy individuals in high-income countries but is a significant problem in sub-Saharan Africa and amon
Are there clinical trials for Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis?
1 specialists and care centers treating Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.