Salmonella carrier state is eradicated with which surgical procedure?

• A. Billroth I
• B. Cholecystectomy
• C. Splenectomy
• D. Whipple procedure

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that chronic Salmonella typhi carriage often persists in the biliary system, especially the gallbladder, where the organism can form biofilms on gallstones. Removing the gallbladder eliminates this reservoir, making the carrier state unlikely to persist; antibiotics alone are often insufficient because the bacteria can hide in the biliary tract. Historically and clinically, cholecystectomy has been the most effective way to eradicate the carrier state. The other procedures don’t address the gallbladder or biliary reservoir, so they don’t reliably eliminate chronic Salmonella carriage.