What type of osteomyelitis are patients with sickle cell disease particularly at risk for?

Patients with sickle cell disease are particularly at risk for Salmonella osteomyelitis due to the unique complications associated with their condition. Sickle cell disease can impair splenic function, leading to hyposplenism or even functional asplenia. The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering bacteria from the bloodstream and preventing infections.

In individuals with sickle cell disease, the increased risk of infections by encapsulated organisms, including Salmonella, arises consequently. Salmonella, which is a common organism associated with osteomyelitis in these patients, has a higher propensity to cause infections when the immune system is compromised, such as in those with reduced spleen function.

Therefore, the predominant concern for osteomyelitis in this population is indeed Salmonella, making it the correct choice for this question. Other pathogens such as Staphylococcus, E. coli, and fungal organisms may cause infections in different clinical contexts but are not as specifically associated with sickle cell disease as Salmonella.