This supplement reports the characterization of 70 new Salmonella serovars recognized between 2003 and 2007 by the WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Salmonella: 44 were assigned to Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica, 11 to subspecies salamae, 5 to subspecies arizonae, 8 to subspecies diarizonae, one to subspecies houtenae and one to Salmonella bongori. One new serovar, Mygdal, displayed a new H factor, H:z(91).
In developed countries, acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major source of morbidity. However, only a few studies have estimated its incidence and the associated medical burden. This population-based study determined the incidence of community-acquired AGE patients seeking medical care and the relative role of various pathogens. Stool samples from patients with AGE presenting to a general practitioner (GP), pediatrician, or specialist in internal medicine for that reason were screened for various bacterial and viral enteropathogens. A control group was established as well.
Between April and September 1993, a nationwide outbreak of salmonellosis occurred in Germany which was traced to contaminated paprika and paprika-powdered potato chips. Of the estimated 1000 cases, children below 14 years were principally affected. Levels of 0.04-0.45 organisms per gram were found in the snacks. The infective dose was estimated at 4-45 organisms with an attack rate of 1 in 10,000 exposed persons. The unique feature of the outbreak was the variety of serovars involved. S. saintpaul, S. rubislaw and S. javiana were isolated during the same time period from paprika powder, spice mixtures, snacks and patients. Their clonal identity was confirmed by molecular typing methods. Furthermore, monophasic and non-motile strains of rare salmonella O-groups were isolated from both paprika products and patients. This is the largest documented outbreak due to contaminated spices which proved that even extremely low numbers of salmonellae adapted to the dry state were able to cause illness.
The occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was studied on four cattle farms. STEC were detected in 29-82% of the cattle. STEC with additional EHEC markers were detected on all farms. The occurrence of the complete virulence marker pattern (stx1 and/or stx2, eae, EHEC(hlyA), katP, espP) was correlated with the presence of known STEC serotypes. STEC O26:H11 and O165:H25 with the complete pattern of virulence markers were the most prevalent. STEC O157 (H7/H-) STEC O103:H2 and STEC O145:H- were found sporadically. Five clonal subgroups of the STEC O26:H11 isolates were identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. STEC O26:H11 were present in three groups of cattle. This serotype was detected in a single group over the entire fattening period. Most STEC O26:H11 with the complete pattern of potential virulence markers were found in clinically healthy cattle. These animals may represent a risk factor for farmers and consumers.
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