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Persistent and transient clones of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 recognized by biotyping
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Dundee Medical School, Ninewells Hospital.
Abstract:
Among the 81 cultures of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 examined, 72 had been isolated from Sheffield incidents in 1984-5 and 9 were Scottish isolates from 1986-7. All of these cultures from diverse sources belonged to primary biotype 31; 79 were of full biotype 31beg and 2 anaerogenic cultures were of full biotype 31begj. This is the first known occasion on which an epidemic strain of S. typhimurium of phage type/biotype 141/31beg has been implicated in outbreaks of human or animal infection in the UK. Because previous epidemic strains of S. typhimurium of phage type 141 in the UK belonged to biotypes 1f and 9f which are phylogenetically unrelated to biotype 31beg, the likely origin of this most recent epidemic S. typhimurium strain of phage type/biotype 141/31beg is discussed.
Insights
A new Salmonella typhimurium strain, phage type/biotype 141/31beg, caused UK outbreaks. This strain is phylogenetically distinct from previous epidemic Salmonella typhimurium strains, prompting an origin discussion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Salmonella typhimurium is a significant cause of bacterial infections in humans and animals.
- Epidemic strains of Salmonella typhimurium, characterized by phage type and biotype, have emerged globally.
- Previous epidemic strains of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 141 in the UK were associated with different biotypes (1f and 9f).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Salmonella typhimurium isolates from UK outbreaks.
- To identify the phage type and biotype of epidemic Salmonella typhimurium strains.
- To investigate the epidemiological significance and potential origin of a newly identified epidemic strain.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological analysis of 81 Salmonella typhimurium cultures.
- Phage typing and biotyping of bacterial isolates.
- Comparison with historical Salmonella typhimurium strains from the UK.
Main Results:
- Eighty-one Salmonella typhimurium cultures of phage type 141 were examined.
- 72 isolates were from Sheffield (1984-5) and 9 from Scotland (1986-7).
- All isolates belonged to primary biotype 31; 79 were full biotype 31beg and 2 were anaerogenic biotype 31begj.
Conclusions:
- This marks the first identification of Salmonella typhimurium phage type/biotype 141/31beg in UK human or animal infections.
- The emergence of this phylogenetically distinct strain necessitates discussion regarding its origin.
- The findings highlight the evolving epidemiology of Salmonella typhimurium in the UK.