Outbreak of Salmonella infantis infection in a large animal veterinary teaching hospital.
Abstract: During the past 11 years, there have been numerous reports of outbreaks of salmonellosis involving horses in veterinary teaching hospitals. Some of these outbreaks have been associated with Salmonella serotypes not commonly associated with infection of horses. Salmonella infantis is among the more common Salmonella serotypes isolated from human beings, and is an important pathogen in the broiler chicken industry. However, it was not commonly isolated from horses or cattle on a national basis between 1993 and 1995. In this report, we describe an outbreak of S infantis infection among large animals, primarily horses, in a veterinary teaching hospital and the control measures that were implemented. Factors that appeared to be key in control of this outbreak in this hospital included providing biosecurity training sessions for hospital personnel, adopting a standard operating procedure manual for biosecurity procedures, installing additional handwashing sinks throughout the facility, painting the interior of the facility with a nontoxic readily cleanable paint, replacing the dirt flooring in 4 stalls with concrete flooring, and removing noncleanable surfaces such as rubber stall mats, wooden hay storage bins, and open grain bins. Our experience with this outbreak suggests that although it is virtually impossible to eliminate Salmonella organisms from the environment, minimizing contamination is possible. Prevention of nosocomial infection must be approached in a multifaceted manner and care must be taken to search out covert sources of contamination, especially if standard intervention procedures do not prevent spread of the disease.
Publication Date: 1997-12-31 PubMed ID: 9412683
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research describes an outbreak of Salmonella infantis, typically not common in horses and cattle, in a veterinary teaching hospital, the steps taken to control it, and insights into preventing similar future occurrences.
Outbreak Description and Impact
- The study focuses on an unexpected outbreak of Salmonella infantis infection primarily affecting large animals, especially horses, in a veterinary teaching hospital. This is unusual because, between 1993 and 1995, this strain was not widely isolated from horses or cattle. It is however common in humans and the broiler chicken industry.
- The authors outline the prevalence of salmonellosis outbreaks involving horses in veterinary teaching hospitals over the past 11 years, often linked with Salmonella serotypes not typical in horses.
Control Measures Implemented
- The researchers took a series of steps to control the outbreak. This included biosecurity training for hospital staff, introducing a standard operating procedure manual for biosecurity, and installing extra handwashing sinks throughout the facility.
- They also made facility improvements to minimize contamination—such as painting the interior with a cleanable, nontoxic paint, replacing dirt floors in some stalls with concrete and removing surfaces that were hard to clean (such as rubber stall mats, wooden hay storage bins, and open grain bins).
Take-aways from the Outbreak
- Based on their experience with the outbreak, the researchers underscore that while it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate Salmonella organisms from the environment, it’s feasible to minimize contamination.
- They stress that preventing nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections requires a multifaceted approach. This includes actively seeking hidden sources of contamination, particularly when standard procedures do not prevent the disease from spreading.
Cite This Article
APA
Tillotson K, Savage CJ, Salman MD, Gentry-Weeks CR, Rice D, Fedorka-Cray PJ, Hendrickson DA, Jones RL, Nelson W, Traub-Dargatz JL.
(1997).
Outbreak of Salmonella infantis infection in a large animal veterinary teaching hospital.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 211(12), 1554-1557.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Camelids, New World
- Camelus
- Carnivora
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
- Colorado / epidemiology
- Cross Infection / epidemiology
- Cross Infection / prevention & control
- Cross Infection / veterinary
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Goat Diseases / epidemiology
- Goat Diseases / prevention & control
- Goats
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal / statistics & numerical data
- Incidence
- Salmonella / isolation & purification
- Salmonella Infections, Animal / epidemiology
- Salmonella Infections, Animal / microbiology
- Salmonella Infections, Animal / prevention & control
- United States / epidemiology
- United States Department of Agriculture
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Basso RM, Cerri FM, Possebon FS, Braga PRC, Casas MRT, Oliveira-Filho JP, Araújo Júnior JP, Ribeiro MG, Arroyo LG, Borges AS. Whole-genome sequencing of Salmonella serovars isolated from diarrheic and non-diarrheic foals. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Mar;37(2):363-366.
- Yukawa S, Uchida I, Takemitsu H, Okamoto A, Yukawa M, Ohshima S, Tamura Y. Anti-microbial resistance of Salmonella isolates from raw meat-based dog food in Japan. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):982-989.
- Wierup M, Allard Bengtsson U, Vågsholm I. Biosafety considerations and risk reduction strategy for a new veterinary faculty building and teaching hospital in Sweden. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2020 Jun 4;10(1):1761588.
- Burgess BA, Morley PS. Risk factors for veterinary hospital environmental contamination with Salmonella enterica. Epidemiol Infect 2018 Jul;146(10):1282-1292.
- Hornig KJ, Burgess BA, Saklou NT, Johnson V, Malmlov A, Van Metre DC, Morley PS, Byers SR. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Disinfectant Footmats for the Reduction of Bacterial Contamination on Footwear in a Large Animal Veterinary Hospital. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Nov;30(6):1882-1886.
- Lyle CH, Annandale CH, Gouws J, Morley PS. Comparison of two culture techniques used to detect environmental contamination with Salmonella enterica in a large-animal hospital. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2015 Aug 13;86(1):E1-5.
- Weese JS. Infection control and biosecurity in equine disease control. Equine Vet J 2014 Nov;46(6):654-60.
- Hoelzer K, Moreno Switt AI, Wiedmann M. Animal contact as a source of human non-typhoidal salmonellosis. Vet Res 2011 Feb 14;42(1):34.
- Jones M, Boileau M. Camelid herd health. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2009 Jul;25(2):239-63.
- Traub-Dargatz JL, Weese JS, Rousseau JD, Dunowska M, Morley PS, Dargatz DA. Pilot study to evaluate 3 hygiene protocols on the reduction of bacterial load on the hands of veterinary staff performing routine equine physical examinations. Can Vet J 2006 Jul;47(7):671-6.
- Sanchez S, McCrackin Stevenson MA, Hudson CR, Maier M, Buffington T, Dam Q, Maurer JJ. Characterization of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolates associated with nosocomial infections in dogs. J Clin Microbiol 2002 Oct;40(10):3586-95.
- Gentry-Weeks C, Hutcheson HJ, Kim LM, Bolte D, Traub-Dargatz J, Morley P, Powers B, Jessen M. Identification of two phylogenetically related organisms from feces by PCR for detection of Salmonella spp. J Clin Microbiol 2002 Apr;40(4):1487-92.
- Prescott JF, Hanna WJ, Reid-Smith R, Drost K. Antimicrobial drug use and resistance in dogs. Can Vet J 2002 Feb;43(2):107-16.
- Weese JS, Baird JD, Poppe C, Archambault M. Emergence of Salmonella typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) as an important cause of salmonellosis in horses in Ontario. Can Vet J 2001 Oct;42(10):788-92.
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