Outbreak-associated<i>Salmonella enterica</i>Serotypes and Food Commodities, United States, 1998–2008

TLDR

Salmonella enterica infections are transmitted not only by animal‑derived foods but also by vegetables, fruits, and other plant products. The study aimed to clarify links between Salmonella serotypes and specific foods by examining the diversity and predominance of food commodities implicated in outbreaks during 1998–2008. The authors analyzed outbreak data from 1998–2008 to assess serotype–food commodity associations. More than 80 % of outbreaks caused by Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Hadar were linked to eggs or poultry, over 50 % of outbreaks caused by Javiana, Litchfield, Mbandaka, Muenchen, Poona, and Senftenberg were linked to plant commodities, and Typhimurium and Newport were associated with a wide variety of foods, providing guidance for outbreak investigations and control measures.

Abstract

Abstract Salmonella enterica infections are transmitted not only by animal-derived foods but also by vegetables, fruits, and other plant products. To clarify links between Salmonella serotypes and specific foods, we examined the diversity and predominance of food commodities implicated in outbreaks of salmonellosis during 1998–2008. More than 80% of outbreaks caused by serotypes Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Hadar were attributed to eggs or poultry, whereas >50% of outbreaks caused by serotypes Javiana, Litchfield, Mbandaka, Muenchen, Poona, and Senftenberg were attributed to plant commodities. Serotypes Typhimurium and Newport were associated with a wide variety of food commodities. Knowledge about these associations can help guide outbreak investigations and control measures.