Which pathogen is specifically linked to typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is specifically linked to the bacterium Salmonella enterica, particularly the serotype Salmonella Typhi. This pathogen is well-known for causing the disease, which is characterized by prolonged fever, abdominal pain, and potential complications if untreated. Salmonella Typhi is transmitted through contaminated food and water, making it important to understand its association with typhoid fever.

The other pathogens mentioned, while significant in various gastrointestinal diseases, are not the causative agents for typhoid fever. Shigella is associated with bacillary dysentery, Escherichia coli can be involved in a number of intestinal infections but not typhoid fever specifically, and Vibrio cholerae is responsible for cholera, which presents with severe diarrhea but is unrelated to typhoid fever. Knowing the specific association of Salmonella Typhi with typhoid fever is critical for identifying and managing the disease effectively.