Distribution of Serovars along the Food Chain in Poland, 2010-2015.

INTRODUCTION

Data collection on the occurrence is crucial in effective implementation of different actions or control programmes aiming to protect consumers' health and to reduce the level of prevalence in farm animals. The goal was to describe serovar distribution along the food chain in Poland during 2010-2015 and to identify their epidemiological importance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Slide agglutination according to White-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme was used to identify serovars of 6,928 isolates originating from animals, food, feeds, and fertilisers.

RESULTS

In total, 160 serovars were identified. Differences in serovar distribution were observed depending on animal species. Among isolates from hens, . Enteritidis and . Infantis were the most prevalent. Serovar pattern in turkeys differed from those in hens, with . Kentucky, . Newport, . Saintpaul being the most prevalent. Monophasic . Typhimurium was predominant in pigs. Serovars found in food reflected those observed among livestock animals. Nine out of the ten most prevalent serovars in animals and humans were also found in organic fertilisers.

CONCLUSION

Serotyping of large number of isolates from different sources is essential for insight on emerging serovars and trends of occurrence. This may increase the value of epidemiological data and result in updating of control programmes to target further epidemiologically important serovars in animals and better protection of consumers' health.