Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Saintpaul (antigenic formula 1,4,[5],12:e,h:1,2) is a serovar of the O:4 (B) serogroup. S. Saintpaul is a globally distributed srovar. Reports of S. Saintpaul have increased recently, these reports have found that turkeys 
and ground turkey are important sources of S. Saintpaul. In addition, in several countries, S. Saintpaul have caused large outbreaks associated with produce (e.g., cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, peppers). A clonal line with a multidrug resistant phenotype was found to be predominant in turkeys and human feces in Germany. This strain showed resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, nalidixic acid, and sulfamethoxazole, along with intermediate resistance to ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins.
Animal reservoir: S. Saintpaul is found in turkeys and swine.
Geographical distribution: This serovar is widely distributed. In the U.S. it ranks among the top 15 serovars causing human salmonellosis. In Oceania, this serovar is the fourth most common serovar in humans. In addition, S. Saintpaul is commonly reported in Europe and outbreaks have been linked to internationally imported food (e.g., from Mexico).
Outbreaks: Several outbreaks have been linked to S. Saintpaul; many of these outbreaks have caused disease in a very large number of patients.
Year |
Location |
Associated source |
Number of cases |
2013 |
US-multistate |
Imported cucumber |
84 |
2009 |
US-multistate |
Raw alfalfa sprouts |
235 |
2008 |
US-multistate & Canada |
Raw produce (jalapeño and serrano peppers from Mexico) |
1442 |
2005 |
Australia |
Tap water |
26 |
2006 |
Australia |
Cantaloupe |
115 |
1999 |
Australia |
Drinking water |
28 |
1993 |
Germany |
Paprika & paprika-powdered potato chips (serovar Javiana and Rubislaw were also involved) |
1000 |
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