(săl´´mӘnĕlō'sĭs), any of a group of infectious diseases caused by intestinal bacteria of the genus Salmonella , including typhoid fever , paratyphoid fever, blood poisoning, and food poisoning (gastroenteritis). Typhoid fever, caused by S. typhi , is spread by fecal contamination of water or milk or by food handlers who are carriers. It is characterized by a high fever and a rash on the chest and abdomen and can be fatal. Paratyphoid fever, caused by S. paratyphi , is also spread in the feces of victims or carriers. Outbreaks often occur where adequate hygiene, especially in food preparers, is not practiced. Paratyphoid is characterized by mild fever and a rash on the chest. Bacteremia is characterized by the presence of S. choleraesuis , S. typhimurium , or S. heidelberg in the blood. All three diseases are treated with the antibiotic chloramphenicol , although some strains have become resistant. The most common form of salmonellosis is food poisoning caused by S. typhimurium and…