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Non-typhoidal Salmonella Bacteremia as a Diagnostic Clue to Gastric Cancer With Isolated Bone Metastasis: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We report a rare case of Salmonella enterica bacteremia as the initial presentation of gastric adenocarcinoma with isolated bone metastasis. A 65-year-old woman presented with persistent lumbar and cervical pain, night sweats, tremors, and worsening respiratory failure. Blood cultures grew S. enterica, leading to targeted antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone. Despite therapy, fever and inflammatory markers persisted. Upper endoscopy revealed an ulcerated gastric lesion, and biopsy confirmed signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma. Imaging showed diffuse vertebral lesions, and bone biopsy confirmed metastatic disease. The patient’s condition was complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding and progressive decline, making curative treatment unfeasible; she was transitioned to palliative care. This case highlights non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) bacteremia as a possible early indicator of malignancy and emphasizes the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation in patients with unexplained bacteremia.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.87147

Authors: Ana Rita Antunes, Mariana Teixeira, Rita Menezes Azevedo, Inês Amaral Pinto, Andreia Freitas

Institution: Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia/Espinho

Language: English

Topic: Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4411919632