Effect of regulation and education on reptile-associated salmonellosis

Reptiles have become increasingly common as domestic pets, and with them reptile-associated Salmonella infections in humans. From 1990 to 2000, a total of 339 reptile-associated Salmonella cases were reported in Sweden. In 1996, as part of its efforts to adapt its import regulations to those of the European Union, Sweden no longer required certificates stating that imported animals were free of Salmonella. A subsequent increase was noted in the incidence of reptile-associated cases from 0.15/100,000 in the period 1990-1994 to 0.79/100,000 in 1996 and 1997. After a public education campaign was begun through the news media, the incidence dropped to 0.46/100,000. Children were the most affected age group among patients (incidence 1.3/100,000). Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was the most frequent serotype (24% of isolates), followed by S. Typhimurium (9% of isolates). Import restrictions and public information campaigns are effective public health measures against reptile-associated salmonellosis.     

Laboratory surveillance of bacterial gastroenteric pathogens in The Netherlands, 1991-2001

Results of the Dutch laboratory surveillance of bacterial gastroenteritis between 1991 and 2001 are presented and compared with recent findings in general practices and in the community. Between 1996 and 2000 the mean annual number of stools screened by sentinel laboratories was about 1000 samples/100,000 inhabitants, which is 4% of the estimated annual incidence of gastroenteritis in the Dutch population. Campylobacter (36/100,000 inhabitants) and salmonella (24/100,000 inhabitants) were the main pathogens isolated. Since 1996, the incidence of laboratory confirmed salmonellosis decreased by 30%, predominantly among young children. The incidence of campylobacter was highest in urban areas and Salmonella Enteritidis emerged as the predominant serotype in urban areas. Between 1991 and 2001, multi-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 emerged to comprise up to 15% of all salmonella isolates in 2001. Reported rates of Shigella spp. and Yersinia spp. varied little, with average annual incidences of 3.2 and 1.2 cases/100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Escherichia coli O157 (90% STEC) was scarcely found (0.26/100,000).     

Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis and Infantis from human infections, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy

The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Infantis isolated from humans, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy between 1999 and 2001 was examined. All the isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin, but high rates of resistance were observed for several other drugs, especially for S. Typhimurium. The rates of resistance and multiresistance were generally higher among animal and food isolates than in human strains; conversely, no significant difference was observed between animal and food isolates. Among S. Typhimurium, multiresistance was more common in bovine, poultry and rabbit strains than in swine isolates, and was rare in strains from pigeon. Resistance to trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole was mainly found in isolates of swine and human origin. This study confirms the role of livestock as a reservoir of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. and underlines the need for integrated surveillance systems of antibiotic resistance that consider isolates not only from human disease but also from the animal reservoirs and the food vehicles.     

Laboratory-based surveillance of non-typhoidal Salmonella infections in Guangdong Province, China

Salmonella is one of the most common foodborne pathogens in humans. Laboratory-based surveillance for non-typhoidal Salmonella infection was conducted in Guangdong Province, China to improve understanding about the disease burden and detection of dispersed outbreaks. Salmonella isolated from patients with diarrhea were sent from 16 sentinel hospitals to local public health laboratories for confirmation, serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE patterns were analyzed to identify clusters representing potential outbreaks. Between September 2009 and October 2010, 352 (4%) Salmonella isolates were obtained from 9167 stool specimens. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (45%) and Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (13%) were the most common serotypes, and multidrug resistance was high, especially in Salmonella Typhimurium isolates. PFGE patterns of obtained Salmonella isolates were found to be diverse, but a unique PFGE pattern comprising 53 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were found to occur almost exclusively in infants. Epidemiologic studies are ongoing to determine whether a common exposure is the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium strain frequently isolated from infants.     

Salmonellosis in 1998

Gradual decrease of salmonellosis is observed in Poland since 1988. In 1998, 26,739 cases of salmonellosis were noted, incidence rate = 69.2 per 100,000 population. Above 80% of cases were laboratory confirmed by isolation Salmonella strains (57 serotypes). Laboratory-based surveillance led to the identification 82 serotypes among examined persons; the most frequent serotype was Enteritidis: 90% of cases and 70% of Salmonella infected healthy persons. Serotypes: Typhimurium, Virchow, Hadar and Infantis caused 6% Salmonella infections. Nearly 53% of patients were hospitalized. Like in the previous years, the most affected age group were children under five (361/100,000). The extraintestinal Salmonella infections were observed in 64 patients for whom at least 1 nonfecal specimen was culture-positive for non-typhoidal Salmonella. Twenty eight patients had positive blood cultures (26--Enteritidis, 2--Typhimurium). The other positive specimens included subdural fluid (3), pleural fluid (3), joint fluid (2), urine (11) and pus (15). Half of the patients had immunocompromising conditions. Other diseases contributed to infection, especially in older patients, who had hematologic and nonhematologic malignancy, lupus erythematosus, diabetes, cirrhosis. There were 11 deaths (17%).     

Serotypes, antibiotic resistance, and class 1 integrons in Salmonella isolates from pediatric cases of enteritis in Tehran, Iran

The present study was conducted to investigate serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance patterns, carriage of class 1 integron, and clonality of Salmonella strains isolated from patients aged 0-12 years in Tehran, Iran, during 2007-2008. A total of 139 Salmonella isolates were studied. Salmonella serotypes Enteritidis, Infantis, and Typhimurium included 84.9% of isolates, Enteritidis accounting for 41.7%. The most prevalent resistances were to doxycycline (64.7%), nalidixic acid (61.2%), tetracycline (51.8%), and streptomycin (42.8%). Fifty-three (38.1%) isolates contained class 1 integron. Eight different gene cassettes were identified, aadA1 being the most frequently encountered. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that integron-positive Salmonella strains belonging to serotypes Infantis, Enteritidis, and Typhimurium were attributed to two, three, and five different pulsotypes, respectively. The findings indicated that the distribution and drug resistance pattern of most prevalent Salmonella serotypes were broadly similar to that reported globally from human isolates. Presence of class 1 integrons was common among Salmonella serotypes in Tehran, Iran. Concurrent clonal expansion and horizontal transmission events seem to contribute to increase in drug resistance prevalence among Salmonella serotypes.     

2008-2009年北京市沙门菌流行特征和分子分型

目的 分析2008-2009年北京市沙门菌流行特征及脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)分子分型. 方法 对2008-2009年通过WHO全球沙门菌监测系统及北京市肠道门诊监测系统分离到的137株沙门菌进行生化鉴定、血清分型和相关流行病学分析;利用PFGE进行分子分型. 结果 北京市2008-2009年沙门菌的流行具有明显季节性,6-9月份高发,共分离菌株84株,占64.1%(84/131);患者年龄多为18～40岁,占46.1%(58/128);男性80例,女性51例,男女比例为1.57:1.137株沙门菌分属于20种血清型,其中肠炎沙门菌和鼠伤寒沙门菌为优势菌型,分别占46.7%(64/137)和17.5%(24/137).共分71种PFGE带型,其中肠炎沙门菌和鼠伤寒沙门菌都有16种PFGE型别.肠炎沙门菌的4种PFGE型别(JEGX01.CN0001、JEGX01.CN0003、JFGX01.CN0002、JEGX01.CN0019)和鼠伤寒沙门菌的JPXX01.CN0001为优势分子型别. 结论 2008-2009年北京市沙门菌的流行具有性别、年龄和季节性分布特征;PFGE分子型别较多,且存在差异明显的多个克隆系.

Abstract：

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics and molecular phenotypes of Salmonella by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in Beijing from 2008 to 2009. Methods A total of one hundred thirty-seven isolates recovered from the WHO Global Samonella Surveillance system and entero clinic surveillance system were identified by biochemical tests and serotyping.The related epidemiological informations were also analyzed.The isolates were further typed by PFGE. Results The prevalence of Salmonella from 2008 to 2009 showed obvious seasonal character.High incidence occurred from June to September,and 64.1% (84/131) isolates were recovered in this period.Patients of 18-40 year-old were 46.1% (58/128) and 80 patients were male and 40 patients were female with the ratio of 1.57:1.These 137 Salmonella isolates belonged to 20 serotypes,including Enteritidis (46.7%,64/137) and Typhimurium (17.5%,24/137) as the dominant serotype.In total,71 PFGE profiles were identified.Four PFGE patterns of S.Enteritidis isolates (JEGX01.CN0001,JEGX01.CN0003,JEGXO1.CN0002,JEGX01.CN0019) and S.Typhimurium pattern of JPXX01.CN0001 were dominant patterns. Conclusion The prevalence of Salmonella from 2008 to 2009 showed distribution characteristics of sex,age and seasons.The numerous PFGE patterns of Salmonella showed diversity of these isolates and different clones existed in Beijing.     

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium phage-type DT104 among salmonellae causing enteritis in Israel

The relative frequency of salmonella strains isolated from hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in Southern Israel changed during the period, 1994-6. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive phage-type 104 (DT104) appeared in Israel in 1994 and became the most prevalent strain in 1996. An outbreak of enteritis due to Salmonella enterica serotype Agona occurred in Israel, in October 1994 and lasted for 4 months. The relative frequency of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis remained almost constant during these years, with seasonal fluctuations only. The importance of the increase in the prevalence of Typhimurium DT104 has been the epidemic spread of a multiresistant strain of R-type ACT (A, ampicillin; C, chloramphenicol; T, tetracycline) belonging to this phage-type. Since 1995 the frequency of Typhimurium DT104 isolates that possess, in addition to the above R-type, a chromosomally encoded resistance to the quinolone drug, nalidixic acid, increased tenfold. In 1996, 27% of the Typhimurium DT104 isolates were of R-type ACTN. S. Enteritidis exhibited over 95% susceptibility to at least eight of the most commonly used antibiotic drugs, and none of the isolates was resistant to quinolone or fluoroquinoline.     

2011-2012年杭州市肠道沙门菌临床分离株的分子型别分析

目的研究2011-2012年杭州市肠道沙门菌临床分离株的型别,了解本地菌株分子流行病学特征。方法对66株肠道沙门菌临床分离株进行血清分型和多位点序列分型(MLST)。对其中主要血清型:鼠伤寒、甲型副伤寒、萨雷甲尼和肠炎沙门菌菌株进行脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)分型。结果分布于21个血清型的66株沙门菌分成26个ST型别。发现一株纽波特沙门菌为新型ST1690。菌株血清型与MLST型别数据库中所对应的血清型符合率为100.00%。9株甲型副伤寒沙门菌的PFGE带型完全一致(P7型),与先前杭州流行菌株有差异(P1-P6型)。6株肠炎沙门菌分成4个PFGE型,型间最小相似性为92.70%。13株鼠伤寒沙门菌分为11个PFGE型,型间最小相似性为71.70%。7株萨雷甲尼沙门菌分成4个PFGE型别,型间最小相似性为91.00%。结论近年杭州腹泻病人中流行的肠道沙门菌菌株主要血清型为鼠伤寒、甲型副伤寒、萨雷甲尼和肠炎等。甲型副伤寒沙门菌菌株在杭州出现了新PFGE型别。MLST数据可以对沙门菌血清学鉴定提供一定的帮助。     

肠炎沙门菌多位点序列分型技术的研究

目的研究肠炎沙门菌菌株间的分子特征,建立了分子流行病学研究方法——多位点基因序列分型技术(MLST),并对食品中的肠炎沙门菌分离株进行分型研究。方法选择肠炎沙门菌的6个管家基因thrA、purE、sucA、aroC、hemD、dnaN及一个特异性的DNA标记SdfΙ作为目标基因。对上述基因分别进行PCR扩增及产物测序,用sequencer2.0软件对测序结果进行分析、比对核苷酸的差异。同时,将肠炎沙门菌株与GenBank中鼠伤寒沙门菌LT2相应的基因序列进行比较。结果在肠炎沙门菌标准菌株50041和18株食品分离株之间,6个基因PCR产物范围内的近60000个核苷酸序列完全相同,未观察到同一血清型内的基因突变。而与LT2相比,基因产物发生了1到6个点突变。在对SdfΙ的核苷酸序列比较研究中发现,肠炎沙门菌标准菌株与食品中分离株SdfΙ的核苷酸序列与GenBank中该序列的碱基对比,发生了C182T的点突变。即MLST技术揭示了在同一血清型内各菌株管家基因碱基序列的高度保守。结论MLST方法适用于不同血清型沙门菌株间的分型研究,而不适于同一血清型的菌株分型。     

Blood invasiveness of Salmonella enterica as a function of age and serotype

We explored the dual influence of the patient's age and the infecting serotype on the blood invasiveness patterns of non-Typhi Salmonella enterica (NTS). Blood invasiveness ratio (BIR) was calculated as the ratio between the number of blood and blood + stool isolates. Analysis of 14,951 NTS isolates showed that the BIR increased drastically above the age of 60 years, reaching levels 3.5-7 times higher compared to age group < 2 years. Different patterns of age-related invasiveness were observed for the five most common NTS serotypes (Enteritidis, Typhimurium, Virchow, Hadar, Infantis). Among children < 2 years, the BIR was highest for serotype Virchow and lowest for serotype Hadar, while in persons > or = 60 years it was highest for serotypes Enteritidis and lowest for serotype Infantis. The tendency of NTS serotypes to invade the bloodstream was significantly influenced by the patient's age, however the impact of age differed for various NTS serotypes.     

Salmonella serovars determined in the National Salmonella Center between 1995 and 1997

A total of 897 human and non-human (from animal, food, feed and other sources) isolates of Salmonella were serotyped in the National Salmonella Centre during the period 1995-1997. They had been referred to the Centre by several field laboratories all over the country. Serological and biochemical identification was performed according to the standard methods. Forty seven Salmonella serovars were isolated from human sources. The most common Salmonella serovars were S. Thompson, S. Mbandaka and S. Enteritidis. The other were S. Hadar, S. Infantis, S. Albany, S. Typhimurium and S. Virchow. The serovars isolated from the food products were almost the same as from human sources. A total of 37 Salmonella serovars were found in isolates from animal sources. The dominating serovars were S. Enteritidis, S. Mbandaka, S. Bredeney, S. Infantis, S. Anatum, S. Typhimurium, S. Hadar, S. Saintpaul, S. Agona, S. Virchow, S. Heidelberg and S. Thompson. The fact that a number of the same serovars were found on lists of the most commonly isolated serovars from human and animal sources underlines the importance of the relationship. The lack of information of Salmonella contaminated food products and animal infections was noticed More detail examination of isolates from animal sources is advised to help the fight against human salmonellosis.     

Laboratory-based surveillance of nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in China

Foodborne infections are an important public health problem in China. In 2008, we conducted surveillance for laboratory-confirmed nontyphoidal Salmonella to monitor trends for this infection in China and to build capacity for rapid detection and response to foodborne outbreaks. Salmonella isolates from patients with diarrhea were sent from hospitals to local public health laboratories for confirmation, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A total of 126 hospitals in 44 cities and counties from 8 provinces provided isolates and epidemiologic data for analysis. Of 23,140 stool specimens submitted to clinical laboratories, 662 (3%) grew Salmonella enterica. Salmonella were most commonly detected between April and October. The median age of infected patients was 27 years; 34% of infections occurred in patients <5 years old. Of the 662 isolates, we found 73 serotypes, of which serotype Enteritidis (31%) and serotype Typhimurium (26%) were the most common. The prevalence of resistance was high for clinically important antimicrobial agents, including ampicillin (41%) and ciprofloxacin (6%). More than 60% of isolates, including 35% of all Typhimurium, were resistant to three or more antimicrobial agents. In this first multiprovince surveillance report of laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections in China, we found that Enteritidis and Typhimurium are the most common serotypes and that efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella in China are needed. Although no outbreaks were detected using this system, efforts to improve this system's capacity to do so are underway.     

Demographic risk factors and incidence of Salmonella enteritidis infection in Michigan

Salmonella Enteritidis is a major cause of foodborne disease worldwide. In the United States, this serotype has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality accounting for about 17% of all human Salmonella infections. Data on risk factors associated with serotype-specific Salmonella infections have not been reported in Michigan before. We carried out this study using surveillance data to identify high-risk groups and regions for S. Enteritidis infection in Michigan. Results of this study may be used to develop better control and prevention measures against this common foodborne pathogen. We analyzed data on Salmonella infections collected by the Michigan Department of Community Health's surveillance system (1995-2001). We computed age, gender, and place of residence-specific incidences of S. Enteritidis infection in Michigan using population-based denominators. We used Poisson regression analysis to study the associations between S. Enteritidis infection and certain predictor demographic variables, while controlling for confounders and covariates. We found an overall 1.87/100,000 average annual S. Enteritidis incidence with 1.91/100,000 in females and 1.81/100,000 in males. A higher incidence of S. Enteritidis infection was associated with Michigan children<5 years old when compared with average national estimates (p<0.01). The final adjusted Poisson model revealed that children<1 year of age [RR: 9.75, CI: 7.99-11.90] and children 1-4 years of age [RR: 3.37, CI: 2.83-4.02] are at higher risk for S. Enteritidis infection compared to adults aged 15-39 years. No significant differences in incidence of S. Enteritidis infections were found between urban and rural dwellers or between genders (p>0.05). The incidence rate of S. Enteritidis infection in the Michigan pediatric population (<5 years) was found to be significantly higher than average national estimates, meriting immediate public health attention. Risk factors for S. Enteritidis infection in Michigan children should be identified in order to devise effective control and prevention measures.     

Antimicrobial resistance and phage types of human and non-human Salmonella enterica isolates in Ireland, 1998-2003

Between 1998 and 2003, 5,161 isolates (3,182 human) of Salmonella enterica were received by the National Salmonella Reference Laboratory of Ireland. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and phage typing were performed by standard methods. The number of isolates of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium decreased from 579 (80%) in 1998 to 208 (19%) in 2003, while S. enterica serovar Enteritidis increased from 59 (8%) in 1998 to 219 (20%) in 2003. Definitive (DT) phage types 104 and DT104b accounted for a declining proportion of all Salmonella Typhimurium isolates (from n = 523 [90%] in 1998 to 126 [60%] in 2003). Numbers of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 declined from 50 (85%) in 1998 to 59 (27%) in 2003. Twenty-eight isolates of typhoidal Salmonella were received with a history of recent travel in 17 cases. Resistance to multiple (four or more) antimicrobial agents was related to serotype and, where applicable, phage type, and was common in Salmonella Typhimurium. Salmonella Typhimurium predominated among isolates from cattle and pigs (n = 213 [58%]), while Salmonella Livingstone (n = 327) and S. Kentucky (n = 227) were predominant in isolates from poultry (total n = 554 [43%]). This paper discusses trends, and their implications, in Irish salmonella isolates since the establishment of the Reference Laboratory.     

Salmonella surveillance: a global survey of public health serotyping

To better understand the global epidemiology of salmonellosis and the national surveillance programmes used for salmonella infections in humans, we conducted a global survey of the 191 WHO Member States. We gathered information on the total number of salmonella isolates serotyped, and the 15 most commonly isolated serotypes from humans in 1990 and 1995. Of the 104 countries that responded, 76 (73.1%) conducted public health surveillance for salmonella and 69 of these (90.8%) conducted serotyping as part of the surveillance. Fifty-nine countries (56.7% of those responding) provided information about the most commonly isolated serotypes in 1995. Three serotypes, Enteritidis, Typhimurium and Typhi accounted for 76.1% of all isolates reported in 1995. One of these three was the most common serotype identified in 93.2% of countries reporting data for that year. In 1995, Enteritidis was the most frequently isolated serotype in 35 countries, followed by Typhi (12 countries) and Typhimurium (8 countries). The global pandemic of Salmonella Enteritidis continued to expand. The mean national proportion of all salmonella isolates that were Enteritidis increased globally from 25.6% in 1990 to 36.3% in 1995. Serotyping is a frequently used component of a public health response to the global challenge of salmonellosis. Support for serotyping as part of national salmonella surveillance, and for rapid international communication of the results via a new WHO electronic website will help target future prevention strategies.     

Salmonella in healthy pigs: prevalence, serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance observed during 1998-1999 and 2004-2005 in Japan

To determine prevalence, serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in healthy pigs, faecal samples from 6771 pigs on 73 farms collected during 1998-1999 and 2004-2005 were examined. Salmonella isolates were serotyped and tested for susceptibility to 22 antimicrobials: benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefazolin, cephaloridine, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, fradiomycin, colistin, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxypyridazine, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, norfloxacin and ofloxacin. Farm-level and pig-level Salmonella prevalences were 35.5% and 2.2% in 1998-1999, and 35.7% and 3.3% in 2004-2005. Prevalence by growth stage was 2.4% for sows, 3.3% for weaned pigs, 2.7% for fattening pigs and 3.8% for finishing pigs. The predominant serotypes identified were Agona (28.4%), Typhimurium (17.9%) and Infantis (16.4%) in 1998-1999, and Typhimurium (32.5%), Anatum (24.6%) and Infantis (13.5%) in 2004-2005. Compared with the 1998-1999 isolates, the 2004-2005 isolates showed significantly higher rates of resistance to all the antimicrobials except tetracyclines (P<0.01 to P<0.05) and resistance to 2 antimicrobials [19.4% (13/67) vs. 39.7% (50/126), P<0.01]. This study provides national estimates of Salmonella prevalence in healthy pigs of different growth stages in Japan.     

Antimicrobial resistance in isolates of Salmonella spp. from pigs and the characterization of an S. Infantis gene cassette

One hundred and seven Salmonella isolates of various serotypes were investigated for resistance to a panel of nine antimicrobial agents by standardized methods. Thirty four isolates were susceptible to the selected antimicrobial agents. Thirty-six (of 107) were resistant to three or more antimicrobial agents and defined as multidrug resistant (MDR). Salmonella Typhimurium was the most resistant serotype. All resistant isolates were examined for the presence of class 1 integrons. Thirty-two integron-associated gene cassettes (of varying sizes) were identified. A 1,000-bp amplicon similar to that flanking the distal region of the Salmonella Genomic Island (SGI)-1 in Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in a majority of the S. Typhimurium isolates in this study. In contrast, a 1,800-bp amplicon was identified in all Salmonella Infantis isolates. This amplicon was completely characterized in one isolate. The presence of class 1 integrons in Salmonella spp. in pigs may be important if these zoonotic pathogens were to enter the food chain.     

Web-based surveillance and global Salmonella distribution, 2000-2002

Salmonellae are a common cause of foodborne disease worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports international foodborne disease surveillance through WHO Global Salm-Surv and other activities. WHO Global Salm-Surv members annually report the 15 most frequently isolated Salmonella serotypes to a Web-based country databank. We describe the global distribution of reported Salmonella serotypes from human and nonhuman sources from 2000 to 2002. Among human isolates, S. Enteritidis was the most common serotype, accounting for 65% of all isolates. Among nonhuman isolates, although no serotype predominated, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was reported most frequently. Several serotypes were reported from only 1 region of the world. The WHO Global Salm-Surv country databank is a valuable public health resource; it is a publicly accessible, Web-based tool that can be used by health professionals to explore hypotheses related to the sources and distribution of salmonellae worldwide.     

The role of roof rats ( Rattus rattus) in the spread of Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Infantis contamination in layer farms in eastern Japan

The prevalence of Salmonella in four layer farms in eastern Japan was investigated between 2004 and 2006 to determine the role of roof rats (Rattus rattus) in the epizootology of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis). Persistent S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis contamination of the environment and pooled egg samples were detected in three out of four layer farms. A total of 113 (13.3%) and 158 (18.6%) out of 851 rats examined were positive for S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis, respectively. By pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, only one indistinguishable pulsed-field pattern was yielded by S. Enteritidis strains from rats, eggs and environmental samples from each of the two contaminated layer farms. Although, a variety of pulsed-field patterns were generated by S. Enteritidis isolates from rats, eggs, and the environment of the other contaminated farms, there are, however, some S. Enteritidis strains that are closely related clones. These results suggest that roof rats are carriers of S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis and that persistent S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis infections in a rat population may play an important role in the spread and maintenance of these pathogens inside the layer premises.