Salmonellosis in man and animals as an environmental health problem

Abstract

The Salmonella genus comprises over 1700 serotypes of pathogenic enteric bacteria. These microorganisms colonize in the intestinal tracts and mesenteric lymph nodes of man and lower vertebrates. Intra-and intergenus transfer of the lnfection(s) is common. Salmonellosls is highly contagious, and is frequently a cause of "food poisoning" in man. Estimates of 100,000 to 2 million human cases with 500 deaths occur annually in the U.S. The disease in man and animals has not decreased during the last decade. Fecal contamination, by either symptomatic or occult carriers and shedders, is the primary transmission source of aalmonellosis. The salmonellae problem and its possible resolution are intimately associated with the environment: waste disposal, including water and land use; food and feed processing, transportation and storage; livestock, poultry and dairy production; freeliving and captive wildlife hosts as infection reservoirs; household pets and companion animals; various stress factors affecting man and food-producing animals; wholesale and retail marketing of fresh and frozen foods, and ultimately the consumer, including restaurants, involved in handling, preparation and storage of foods destined for the dinner table. Salmonellosis cannot be eradicated in the U.S. due to the environmental complexities of the problem. We can only hope for better preventive and control measures through greater efforts in research, surveillance and education as well as awareness of the national problem. 755

Retrospective and Longitudinal Study of Salmonellosis in Captive Wildlife in Trinidad

“…Salmonella spp. have assumed increased significance due to their ubiquitous distribution, the growing number of serotypes, wide host range, complex pathogenesis, and complicated epizootiology involving humans, animals, and environment (Morse and Duncan, 1974;Moustafa, 1989;D'Auoust, 1989).…”

Contaminated roof-collected rainwater as a possible cause of an outbreak of salmonellosis

“…A hypothesis that might explain the outbreak is that rainwater falling on the roof washed off animal excrement (probably avian) which contained S. arechevalata. It is well established that animals and birds, both domestic and wild, are frequent carriers of Salmonella (Osborne, 1976;Morse & Duncan, 1974;Cornelius, 1969;Quevado et al 1973 Additional data incriminating raw water as the principal vehicle of infection is provided by the camp kitchen supervisor, who was infected with S. arechevalata although she had not eaten any of the same food as the camp group but did drink the tap water regularly. However, our inability to isolate this organism from the storage tank itself or from local animal life or their excrement makes our explanation only speculative.…”

Effect of Feeding Chlortetracycline on the Reservoir of Salmonella typhimurium in Experimentally Infected Swine

“…For experiment I, fecal samples were collected daily for 8 16 (experiment I) or day 11 (experiment II). All fecal samples were subjected to qualitative enrichment procedures for determining the presence of the infecting organism.…”

“…occur in humans and animals (10,16), with contaminated foods of animal Qrigin as a major source of salmonellae for humans (3). There are reservoirs of salmonella in animals and animal feeds, the environment, and foods, as well as human carriers (3,21).…”