Salmonella Typhimurium

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (antigenic formula 4,5,12:i:1,2) is a widely distributed serovar, representing the second most common serovar in the United States and the European Union. This serovar belongs to the serogroup O:4 (B), there is one variant named S. Typhimurium var. Copenhagen, which lacks the factor 5 in the O antigen (4,12:i:1,2). This serovar was named Typhimurium because it produces "Typhi like symptoms in the murine model. S. Typhimurium has been used as model to understand the pathogenicity of Salmonella.  Serovar Typhimurium can cause disease in a wide range of hosts and invasive strains have been reported in some African countries. This serovar is classified according to the susceptibility to typing phages (phage typing (PT)); one common PT (PT104) was typically found to have resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline (ACSSuT resistance type).

Animal reservoir: serovar Typhimurium is found in multiple animal species, including cattle, chickens, turkey, swine, wild animals and insects.

Geographical distribution: serovar Typhimurium is widely distributed. In the multiple locations (i.e., US, the EU, Africa and Latin America) this serovar is the second most common serovar. In Oceania is the most common serovar. In Asia is among the ten most common serovars.

Outbreaks: numerous of outbreaks have been associated with serovar Typhimurium. Outbreaks have been linked to a number of foods and also been linked to contact with live poultry (chicks, ducklings, and other live baby poultry). Here we mention the latest outbreaks caused by this serovar.