To the Editor.—We read with interest the timely article describing six patients with extragastrointestinal Salmonella arizona infections associated with ingestion of rattlesnake capsules.1 We would like to add an additional case to this series.
Report of a Case.—A 38-year-old Hispanic man with gastric carcinoma was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center complaining of fever, cough, and abdominal pain. Gastric carcinoma had been diagnosed eight months earlier by examination of a gastric biopsy specimen. He had received several courses of fluorouracil during the two months prior to admission. However, he had advanced disease with metastatic involvement of the peritoneum. At the time of admission, the patient gave a one-week history of temperature to 39.4°C (103°F), pleuritic left-sided chest pain, and abdominal pain. Physical examination was significant for an acutely ill man, febrile (39.5°C [103.1°F]), hypotensive (80/60 mm Hg), tachycardic (140 beats per minute), and tachypneic (28 breaths per