[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.