Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Kentucky (antigenic formula 8,20:i:z6) is a serovar of the O:8 (C2-C3) serogroup. This serovar is commonly found in animals in the U.S. (Chickens, turkeys and cows), but rarely is reported in human cases. It is the most common serovar identified in non-clinical non-human, according to CDC, 2011. However, in Europe, serovar Kentucky is found in approx. 1% of the human cases. In Europe and Canada, multidrug resistant strains have been typically found. A highly resistant clone of S. Kentucky (MLST type ST198), has been widespread in Europe in travelers from Asia and Africa. This strain shows resistance to β-lactamic antibiotics, carbapenems, quinolones, aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and to azithromycin. Molecular characterization shows a chromosomal genomic island carrying the resistant genes.
Animal reservoir: Serovar Kentucky is typically found in cattle and poultry
Geographical distribution: S. Kentucky is widely distributed. In the U.S. is commonly found in animals and in meat, in Europe causes salmonellosis in humans, in Asia and Africa is also found in humans.
Outbreaks: A number of cases have been reported in Europe in travelers from Asia and Africa; however, no outbreaks with clear epidemiological investigation and source identification have been reported.
Relevant links: