How Salmonella Enteritidis Replaced Salmonella Gallinarum in Poultry
Author Information
Author(s): Wolfgang Rabsch, Billy M. Hargis, Renee M. Tsolis, Robert A. Kingsley, Karl-Heinz Hinz, Helmut Tschape, Andreas J. Baumler
Primary Institution: Texas A&M University
Hypothesis
Salmonella Enteritidis filled the ecologic niche vacated by eradication of Salmonella Gallinarum from domestic fowl.
Conclusion
The eradication of Salmonella Gallinarum from poultry flocks contributed to the rise of Salmonella Enteritidis as a major foodborne pathogen.
Supporting Evidence
- Salmonella Enteritidis emerged as a major egg-associated pathogen in the late 20th century.
- The number of human S. Enteritidis cases is inversely related to the prevalence of S. Gallinarum in poultry.
- Mathematical models suggest that S. Gallinarum competitively excluded S. Enteritidis from poultry flocks early in the 20th century.
Takeaway
When one type of Salmonella was removed from chickens, another type took its place and started making people sick.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of epidemiologic surveys in Germany and mathematical modeling combining epidemiology with population biology.
Limitations
The estimates of the basic case-reproductive number for Salmonella Enteritidis are based on data from the late 1980s and may not reflect earlier conditions.
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