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View/Open - ARAN - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Chapter 1<br />

cracks or penetration <strong>of</strong> weak eggshell membranes [13]. Dairy products can<br />

become contaminated with Salmonella through poor handling practices at<br />

the farming level (such as milking <strong>of</strong> animals). Bacterial contamination in<br />

dairy products can be eliminated by pasteurization.<br />

1.7. Predominant serovars implicated in food-borne<br />

outbreaks<br />

A recent report published by the European Food Safety Authority indicated<br />

that that Salmonella was the most frequent recognised agent involved in<br />

food-borne outbreaks [14]. Certain serovars are predominant in particular<br />

foods and animal sources, therefore identifying the serovar which causes<br />

contamination is valuable in identifying the source outbreaks <strong>of</strong> food-borne<br />

origin. Moreover, particular serovars are host specific for example S.<br />

Gallinarum in poultry [6], S. Abortusovis in sheep [15], S. Abortusequi in<br />

horses [16].<br />

Over the years S. Typhimurium was the predominant cause <strong>of</strong> human foodborne<br />

salmonellosis in Europe and in the United States [7]. However since<br />

the emergence <strong>of</strong> S. Enteritidis into the food chain in the 1970-1980’s,<br />

there has been significant displacement <strong>of</strong> dominant serovars and S.<br />

Enteritidis is reported more frequently than S. Typhimurium in many<br />

European countries [5].<br />

1.8. Serotyping <strong>of</strong> Salmonella<br />

Salmonella serotyping is based on the immunoreactivity <strong>of</strong> the two surface<br />

antigen groups, the O antigens (somatic antigens) and the H antigens<br />

(flagellar antigens) and to a lesser extent the Vi antigens (capsular<br />

antigens) which are present in very few serotypes (S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi C<br />

and S. Dublin). The O antigens are the carbohydrate (O subunits or<br />

Page 5

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