Evolution of the molecular characterization profile of salmonellosis: the experience of Sardinia, Italy, 1994-2009.

The epidemiology of salmonellosis in Italy has clearly changed over the years. The circulation of human-specific genotypes has diminished while there has been an increase in genotypes of animal origin. In the years 1994-2009, 3727 Salmonella genotypes were isolated and/or genotyped in Sardinia (Italy). The most frequent serotypes were Salmonella Enteritidis (29%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (25,7%). If we consider the years 2000-2009, 6.4% of isolated genotypes were found to be Salmonellae with the serologic profile 4,5,12:i:-, 35.8% of which were multiresistant. Molecular analyses have shown a correlation between Salmonellae 4,5,12:i:- and Salmonellae Typhimurium DT104. Further studies will be conducted to evaluate the link with other Salmonella variants with a similar serologic profile.