Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
17:16
Development of an Electrochemical DNA Biosensor to Detect a Foodborne Pathogen
Published on: June 3, 2018
Non-typhoidal salmonellosis: emerging problems
W Rabsch1, H Tschäpe, A J Bäumler
1National Reference Center for Salmonellae and other Enteric Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institut, Burgstr. 37, D-38855 Wernigerode, Germany.
Microbes and Infection
|May 19, 2001
Summary
Two major changes in non-typhoidal salmonellosis epidemiology emerged in the late 20th century: antibiotic-resistant Salmonella typhimurium in food animals and Salmonella enteritidis as a key egg-associated pathogen. This review examines the origins of these human epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Non-typhoidal salmonellosis epidemiology has significantly shifted.
- Emergence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella typhimurium in food animals.
- Salmonella enteritidis has become a primary egg-associated pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the origins of human epidemics linked to non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
- To understand the epidemiological changes in salmonellosis during the late 20th century.
Main Methods:
- Review of available epidemiological data.
- Analysis of trends in Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis emergence.
Main Results:
- Identification of two key epidemiological shifts in non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
- Documentation of Salmonella typhimurium antibiotic resistance spread in food animals.
- Confirmation of Salmonella enteritidis as a major egg-associated pathogen.
Conclusions:
- The late 20th century witnessed significant epidemiological changes in non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
- Understanding the origins of these shifts is crucial for public health interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Sources of Food Contamination
Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:25Cholera
Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...