Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Java (antigenic formula: 1,4,5,12:b:-) is also known as Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+). Salmonella Paratyphi B and Java 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. Java has an animal reservoir and leads to substantive outbreaks as a result of the contamination of food products.
Animal reservoir: In particular, Salmonella Java is commonly found in poultry, especially chickens and ducks. It can be found in snakes and fish as well.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Java has been found in Europe, the UK, Australia, and America.
Outbreaks: Outbreaks have been associated with S. Java.
Year | Location | Associated Source | Number of Cases |
---|---|---|---|
1966 | US: NJ | Smoked whitefish | 12 |
1999 | Canada | Alfalfa sprouts | 51 |
2003 | France | Goat’s milk cheese | 273 |
2007 | Multinational | Baby spinach | 354 |
2010 | US: OK | Not identified | 17 |
2015 | US: Multi-state | Nut butters | 13 |
2015 | US: Multi-state | Raw Tuna | 62 |
2017 | US: Multi-state | Ball python exposure | 5 |
2018 | US: Multi-state | Kratom | 199* |
*This outbreak included infections from several types of Salmonella: Salmonella Java, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Javiana, Salmonella Okatie, Salmonella Weltevreden, and Salmonella Thompson.
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