Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Cerro (antigenic formula 6,14,18:z4,z23:1,5) is a serovar of the O:18 (K) serogroup. This serovar emerged in cattle in the United States. According to the CDC report of 2011, this serovar ranked third among clinical-nonhuman sources. Hardly reported in human salmonellosis cases, but highly reported among dairy cattle; S. Cerro appears to be adapted to cattle. Subtyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) had identified a single predominant PFGE type on dairy farms in New York and Pennsylvania. Genomic characteristics associated with the adaptation of S. Cerro to cattle are currently under study at the Cornell Food Safety Laboratory.
Animal reservoir: Salmonella Cerro has as reservoir dairy cattle. Some endemic regions include New York and Pennsylvania.
Geographical distribution: S. Cerro has been reported mainly in the U.S. (from bovine samples). In addition, in southern Italy, this serovar was described as endemic in the year 2000.
Outbreaks: Only one outbreak of human salmonellosis due to serovar Cerro has been reported. In addition, one outbreak in dairy cattle was reported, in this outbreak contamination at the farm persisted for almost 2 years.
Year |
Location |
Associated source |
Number of cases |
1985 |
New Mexico |
Beef jerky |
29 |
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