Invasive non-typhoidal salmonella infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Invasive salmonellosis comprise deep-seated infections with Salmonella Typhi as well as with the Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS), which are the main cause of bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Invasive salmonellosis is associated with a high case fatality rate (up to 25% for NTS bloodstream infections in children) and increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics. Although recognized as a public health problem, their exact incidence and distribution of serotypes (required to develop and implement vaccines) is not known and the reservoir and transmission of NTS is not understood. This PhD thesis aims to provide the current microbiological and epidemiological profile of invasive NTS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the current status of human intestinal carriage of NTS. In addition, molecular analyses will give an insight in the invasiveness and spread of salmonellosis in sub-Saharan Africa.