Clonal circulation of Salmonella enterica serotype Heidelberg in Italy?

ABSTRACT

Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of 21 strains of Salmonella serotype Heidelberg isolated in the years 1999-2003 from different sources in Italy were studied. Susceptibility patterns, plasmid analysis, and PFGE were used as epidemiological markers. Although non-homogeneous drug resistance patterns and plasmid profiles had been detected, PFGE patterns suggest the hypothesis of a nationwide clonal spread of this serotype associated with poultry.