Epidemiology of salmonellosis in Caltagirone area (Sicily)

: The authors report the results of an epidemiological-clinical study concerning episodes of salmonellosis observed in Caltagirone (CT) from 1999 to 2002 and reported to the National Centre for Control of pathogen enterobacteria (enter-net Italy). Overall, two hundred and forty strains of salmonella were isolated, typed and in vitro tested for susceptibility to eleven different antibiotics. Cases were evaluated according to patients' age, risk factors and clinical findings. Salmonella enteritidis (39%) was the most prevalent serovar followed by S. typhimurium (16%), S. newport (6%), S. salamae (5%) and others. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was observed in S. typhimurium.