Salmonelose bovina e sua importância para a saúde pública

Abstract

Salmonellosis is an infectious disease of zoonotic potential, caused by different serotypes of the genus Salmonella, characterized by enteric and septicemic signs in several animal species and in humans. The aim of this review is to describe bovine salmonellosis and to strengthen the importance of this species in the epidemiology of human salmonellosis. In cattle, the disease presents a wide spectrum of signs ranging from acute septicemia to asymptomatic infections, affecting mainly calves between two and six weeks of age, with high morbidity and mortality. The carrier state is an important epidemiological feature and plays an essential role in the transmission and maintenance of the disease. The diagnosis of the disease is based on clinical, laboratory and necropsy findings, as well as the agent isolation or identification being the definitive diagnosis. The treatment consists in the reestablishment of the hydroelectrolytic balance, inflammation control and the thorough use of antibiotics. Control and prevention are primary in order to mitigate the economic losses and risks to public health, linked to the disease. The transmitted diseases by food, including salmonellosis, are related to high rates of morbidity and mortality in humans, with the cost of millions of dollars annually worldwide. The animals are reservoirs of Salmonella spp. with zoonotic potential and contaminated food, especially of animal origin, are the main transmission vehicles of the pathogen to human. Different serotypes have been isolated from cow meat and dairy products and their consumption associated with cases and outbreaks of human salmonellosis. The use of these products is mainly associated with raw material quality, inadequate handling and processing, and absence or inefficiency in the heat treatment. Salmonella infections of animal origin cause gastrointestinal disease, usually of a benign course, but can become invasive and require treatment with antibiotics. The number increase of Salmonella spp. with antimicrobial resistance profile limits the treatment options of the human disease and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal production has been associated with progression of the human resistance. Therefore, the correlation between Salmonella spp., livestock production and public health should drive the adoption of effective measures to provide safe food and disease prevention in animals and humans.