Subtype specific risk factor analyses for sporadic human salmonellosis: A case–case comparison in Lower Saxony, Germany

With the intention to deepen the knowledge of the vertical transmission of particular subtypes of Salmonella enterica from “the stable to the table” a case1–case2 analysis in Lower Saxony, Germany, was conducted. The data collection was based on standardised telephone interviews with 1741 Salmonella case persons. Single-factor-analyses revealed statistically significant associations between S. Typhimurium infections and animal keeping (odds ratio (OR): 1.4; 95%-Confidence-interval (CI): 1.2–1.7), especially rodents (OR 1.5; CI 1.2–2.1), and with consumption of meat (OR 1.9; CI 1.3–2.8), raw ground pork (OR 3.0; CI 2.1–4.2) and uncooked pork sausage (OR 2.1; CI 1.6–2.9). The S. Typhimurium phage type DT 104 was associated most with consumption of uncooked pork sausage (OR 3.6; CI 1.3–8.5). Multiple logistic regression analyses confirmed the associations between S. Typhimurium infection and consumption of raw ground pork and with animal contact. The results circumstantiate the assumption of raw pork products still being a relevant source for S. Typhimurium infections in Germany. Therefore, it is recommended to intensify efforts to reduce salmonella infections caused by raw pork products. S. Enteritidis infection was associated statistically significantly with travelling abroad (OR 2.1; CI 1.6–3.3), consumption of raw tomatoes (OR 1.8; CI 1.5–2.1), dried herbs (OR 2.1; CI 1.0–1.8), and undercooked eggs (OR 1.3; CI 1.1–1.6) compared with other serovars. These results were confirmed in multiple logistic regression analyses, as well.