Question

Mention the name of causal organism of Typhoid fever.

Hint:

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi, spreads via contaminated food and water, diagnosed by Widal test, and prevented by vaccination and sanitation.

Answer 1

Name of the Organism: The causal organism of Typhoid fever is Salmonella typhi, a pathogenic bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Characteristics of Salmonella typhi: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{It is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacterium.} \\ \bullet & \text{It is motile with flagella.} \\ \bullet & \text{It is a facultative anaerobe (can live with or without oxygen).} \\ \end{array}\] Mode of Transmission: - Spread mainly through contaminated food, milk, and water. - Carriers such as flies may transmit the pathogen. - Human carriers (recovered patients who still harbor bacteria in gall bladder) can also spread the disease. Symptoms of Typhoid Fever: \begin{enumerate} \item Sustained high fever (39°–40°C). \item Weakness, headache, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. \item Enlarged spleen and liver. \item Appearance of rose-colored spots on the chest and abdomen in some patients. \end{enumerate} Diagnosis: - Confirmed by Widal test, which detects antibodies against Salmonella typhi. Prevention and Control: - Proper sanitation and personal hygiene. - Use of clean drinking water and safe food practices. - Vaccination against typhoid (Ty21a, Vi polysaccharide vaccines). Conclusion: Typhoid fever is a water-borne disease caused by Salmonella typhi. Preventive measures such as hygiene, sanitation, and vaccination are highly effective in controlling its spread.