Salmonella infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Defects in T-cell function have been seen in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although the cellular immune system plays a key role in host defense against Salmonella, there have been no detailed reports of salmonellosis in patients with this syndrome. We report our experience with salmonella infections in six patients. Salmonellosis in these patients was unusually severe, characterized by widespread infection, bacteremia, and relapse, despite standard antibiotic treatment. Because of the difficulty in eradicating salmonella infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, long-term suppressive treatment with antibiotics seems warranted.