Final answer:
Salmonella bacteria cause inflammation in the gut, providing exogenous electron acceptors favoring their growth and leading to symptoms like diarrhea and stomach cramps. Proper hygiene and cooking can prevent infection. Severity of diseases like salmonellosis can vary, with extreme cases possibly resulting in typhoid fever.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Salmonella bacteria are ingested, they induce inflammation in the gut, which provides exogenous electron acceptors to support their growth and survival. The bacteria penetrate the gut's epithelial cells and can survive within macrophages, evading the body's immune response.
This process exacerbates the inflammatory response and can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Risk of infection by Salmonella can be minimized by proper handwashing and cooking foods thoroughly, which kills the bacteria.
Salmonellosis, the condition caused by these bacteria, can range from mild gastrointestinal distress to severe diseases like typhoid fever depending on the serotype involved and the health of the host. Salmonella usually enters the body through contaminated food or water, and symptoms can include stomach cramps, fever, and diarrhea. In the case of gastroenteritis, the bacteria cause disease by colonizing the host's intestinal tract and/or by secreting toxins, leading to intoxication.