Humans/animals are the reservoir (i.e. reptiles - turtles/lizards, transovarial transmission in chickens-> eggs).
Fecal-oral transmission or ingestion of contaminated water/food.
Asymptomatic illness
Self-limited gastroenteritis
Rarely: bacteremia, endovascular infection (endocarditis, infected aneurysm), intra-abdominal abscess.
Generally a self-limited illness which should not be treated with antibiotics as can prolong fecal excretion.
Treatment indicated if:
-Age <1yr or >50yrs
-Immunocompromised or on hemodialysis
-Vascular aneurysms, grafts, or prosthetic joints
-Bacteremia
-Hemoglobinopathy
-Hospitalized with fever and severe diarrhea
