Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Hartford (antigenic formula: 1,4,5,12:b:-) is also known as Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+). Salmonella Paratyphi B and Hartford are biovars of common serotype 1,4,[5],12:b:1,2 causing human paratyphoid fever and gastroenteritis, respectively. Different from ‘classical’ S. Paratyphi B, S. Hartford has an animal reservoir and leads to substantive outbreaks as a result of the contamination of food products.
Animal reservoir: Salmonella Hartford was found in wild black bears
Geographical distribution: Serovar Hartford has been found in Europe, the UK, Australia, and America.
Outbreaks: Outbreaks have been associated with S. Hartford.
| Year | Location | Associated Source | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | US: FL | Unpasteurized orange juice | 62* |
| 2010 | US: Multi-state | Not identified | 75 |
| 2014 | US: Multi-state | Organic sprouted chia powder | 7 |
*Salmonella Gaminara was also involved in this outbreak.
Relevant links and references:
- https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/2010/restaurant-chain-a-8-4-10.html
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/188128
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/tag/salmonella-hartford/
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/24320783.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Ada8966aa9c6b88949ad11ca86de2b59c&ab_segments=&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1