S. Senftenberg¶

At a Glance


Antigenic Formula	`1,3,19:g,[s],t:-`
Serogroup	O:1,3,19 (E4)
NCBI Pathogen Detection	View isolates

Background Information¶

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Senftenberg (antigenic formula: 1,3,19:g,[s],t:-) is a serovar of the O:1,3,19 (E4) serogroup. While S. Senfenberg is a rare serovar in human cases (only 7 cases in 10 years in the US), it has been linked with several outbreaks. This serovar is though, very common in animals and food. In the US S. Senftenberg is among the top 5 serovars isolated from food, and among the top 11 serovars isolated from clinical animals. Among source of outbreaks are contaminated basil and alfalfa sprouts.

NCBI Pathogen Detection link for serovar Senftenberg: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Senftenberg%22))%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Senftenberg%22)

Genetic Characteristics¶

Salmonella Senftenberg is a polyphyleticserovar, consisting of two lineages and two singleton isolates that do not cluster with any other Salmonella Senftenberg isolates. Although antimicrobial resistance is not widespread in Salmonella Senftenberg, an extended-spectrum, ß-lactamase strain was linked to infections of patients in a hospital in India. Multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates have also been isolated from production animals in the USA (resistant to multiple drugs, including extended-spectrum cephalosporin). Carriageof the pESI-like megaplasmid, which is associated with Salmonella Infantis, has been linkedto these MDR isolates. It has been suggested that Salmonella Seftenberg isolates may be more heat-resistant when compared to other Salmonella serovars.

Animal Reservoir¶

Turkey and swine are potential reservoirs of Salmonella Senftenberg, but this serovar has also been found in other animals, such as chicken and cattle.

Geographical Distribution¶

This serovar is widely distributed, and it has been isolated from all inhabited continents.

Human/Animal Outbreaks¶

Year	Location	Associated source	Number of cases
2022-2023	EU: multi-country, US	Tomatoes	92
2022	US: multistate	Peanut butter	21
2016	US: multistate	Pistachios	2
2007-2008	Serbia	Fennel seed tea	14
2007	EU	Basil	55

Border Rejections¶

Year	Exporting country	Importing country	Associated source	Product category
2025	Poland	Czech Republic	Hahenchen kebab	Poultry meat and poultry meat products
2024	Ukraine	Germany	Organic sunflower seed cakes	Feed materials
2020	Gambia	United Kingdom	Fish maws	Fish and fish products
2023	India	Germany	Sesame seeds	Nuts, nut products and seeds

Recalls¶

Year	Location	Recalled food	Type
2022	US: multistate¹	Peanut butter	Peanut butter

¹ The recall was caused by a multistate outbreak described above.