Salmonella spp. In the global food trade

Abstract

National epidemiological registries continue to underline the importance of Salmonella spp as the leading cause of foodborne bacterial disease in humans. Global trends of foodborne salmonellosis are generally on the increase. Although raw meats and milk products figure prominently as vehicles of human Salmonella infections, other commodities including fruits, vegetables, and aquacultural products have gained notoriety in recent years as potential reservoirs of human Salmonella infections. This disquieting situation is further compounded by the widespread use and abuse of medically important antibiotics in animal and aquacultural husbandry for the purpose of growth promotion, prophylaxis and therapy. Such practices have led to the emergence of foodborne Salmonella spp that are resistant to multiple antibiotics including the new fluoroquinolones.