Emergence of new Salmonella Enteritidis phage types in Europe? Surveillance of infections in returning travellers

BACKGROUND: Among human Salmonella Enteritidis infections, phage type 4 has been the dominant phage type in most countries in Western Europe during the last years. This is reflected in Salmonella infections among Swedish travellers returning from abroad. However, there are differences in phage type distribution between the countries, and this has also changed over time. METHODS: We used data from the Swedish infectious disease register and the national reference laboratory to describe phage type distribution of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in Swedish travellers from 1997 to 2002, and have compared this with national studies conducted in the countries visited. RESULTS: Infections among Swedish travellers correlate well with national studies conducted in the countries visited. In 2001 a change in phage type distribution in S. Enteritidis infections among Swedish travellers returning from some countries in southern Europe was observed, and a previously rare phage type (PT 14b) became one of the most commonly diagnosed that year, continuing into 2002 and 2003. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance of infections among returning travellers can be helpful in detecting emerging infections and outbreaks in tourist destinations. The information needs to be communicated rapidly to all affected countries in order to expedite the implementation of appropriate investigations and preventive measures

Changing patterns of Salmonella serovars: increase of Salmonella Enteritidis in São Paulo, Brazil Mudança na prevalência dos sorotipos de Salmonella: aumento da Salmonella Enteritidis no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Serovars of a total of 5,490 Salmonella strains isolated during the period of 1991-95, from human infections (2,254 strains) and from non-human materials (3,236 strains) were evaluated. In the studied period, 81 different serovars were determined among human isolates. Salmonella Enteritidis corresponded to 1.2% in 1991, 2% in 1992, 10.1% in 1993, 43.3% in 1994, and 64.9% in 1995 of all isolates. A significant rise on the isolation of this serovar was seen since 1993 linked to food poisoning outbreaks. It is reported also an increase on the isolation of S. Enteritidis from blood cultures, associated mainly with patients with immunodeficiency syndrome. S. Enteritidis was prevalent among one hundred and thirty different serovars isolated from non-human sources. Increasing number of isolation of this serovar was seen from shell eggs, breeding flocks and from environmental samples. It is also reported a contamination of commercial feed stuffs by S. Enteritidis which represents a major concern for Brazilian poultry industry.<br>Foram avaliados os sorotipos de 5.490 cepas de Salmonella isolados no período, 1991-95, de infecções humanas (2.254 cepas) e de materiais de origem não humana (3.236 cepas) bem como o perfil de sensibilidade aos agentes antimicrobianos de 131 cepas de S. Enteritidis (92 de origem humana e 39 de origem não humana). No período estudado, foram determinados 81 diferentes sorotipos. S. Enteritidis correspondeu a 1,2% cm 1991, 2% em 1992, 10,1% em 1993, 43,3% em 1994 e 64,9% em 1995. Um aumento significativo no isolamento de S. Enteritidis foi verificado em 1993 associado à ocorrência de surtos de enfermidades transmitidas por alimentos. É relatado também o aumento deste sorotipo a partir de hemoculturas, principalmente daquelas oriundas de pacientes com síndrome de imunodeficiência. S. Enteritidis foi também o sorotipo prevalente em materiais de origem não humana, particularmente em ovos, aves (matrizes) e em amostras do meio ambiente. Ressalta-se a importância da contaminação, das matérias primas, componentes de ração de aves, pela S. Enteritidis, o que representa um preocupante problema para a avicultura brasileira. Assinala-se a ocorrência de cepas multi-resistentes aos agentes antimicrobianos cm cepas de S. Enteritidis de origem humana e não humana