We report a case in which placental abruption occurred at 16 weeks following first trimester diagnosis and treatment for typhoid fever. UnexpectedlySalmonella entericaserovar Typhi (S.Typhi) was found in fetal tissues at autopsy. Using information from the murine model of typhoid fever in pregnancy, we draw parallels betweenS.Typhi andL. monocytogenesto develop a plausible hypothesis to explain how this organism was able to cross the placenta in the first trimester to cause abruption, inflammation, and expulsion of the fetus and placenta. We hope that this model for understanding placental infections by the hematogenous route helps to raise awareness that organisms not typically associated with TORCH infection can nevertheless cause placental infection and pregnancy loss.
First Trimester Typhoid Fever with Vertical Transmission ofSalmonellaTyphi, an Intracellular Organism
