Zoonotic non-typhi Salmonella and antibiotic resistance

The Salmonella genus is divided into two species: enterica and bongori. S. enterica itself is subdivided into six subspecies. These different taxons represent over 2,500 serotypes. In France, the number of salmonellosis cases confirmed between 1995 and 1999 is estimated between 32 000 and 43, 000 per annum, with 6,000 to 10,700 hospitalisations (and 100 to 560 deaths). Two serotypes are ultra predominant in our country: Typhimurium and Enteritidis. They represent about 70% of all Salmonella strains isolated in man each year As observed in most developed countries, the number of non-typhoidal Salmonella strains isolated in humans in France, multiresistant to antibiotics, and in particular to 3rd generation cephalosporins and quinolones, has been rising steadily over the past five years. The selection of such strains is often due to the use of these classes of antibiotics on animals.