paratyphoid enteric fever

introduction

there are three serovars of the species of S. enterica that cause paratyphoid: S. Paratyphi A, S. Paratyphi B (S. schottmuelleri and S. pullorum), and S. Paratyphi C (S. hirschfeldii).
they are transmitted by means of contaminated water or food via faecal-oral route
as with Salmonella typhi (typhoid enteric fever) to which they share similar clinical features and Mx, cases in Australia are almost all acquired outside of Australia
travellers should be vaccinated with typhoid vaccine which also protects against paratyphoid B.
owners of tropical fish should ensure scrupulous cleaning of aquariums to eliminate potential S. Paratyphi B organisms.
there are about 16 million cases a year, which result in about 25,000 deaths worldwide
unlike S. typhi, the reservoir for S. paratyphi may include domestic animals as well as humans.

paratyphoid fever resembles Salmonella typhi (typhoid enteric fever) but presents with a more abrupt onset, milder symptoms and a shorter course.
see typhoid fever for clinical features and Mx.
in addition to faecal carriage, some may become urinary carriers (especially those with Schistosomiasis)
Paratyphoid A is found in large parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America
Paratyphoid B is more common in Europe and unlike typhoid is also associated with herpes labialis, and may cause a severe gastroenteritis
Paratyphoid C is rare and mainly occurs in the Far East. It may cause cholecystitis.