Salmonella Cubana

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Cubana (antigenic formula 1,13,23:z₂₉:–) is a serovar of the O:13 (G) serogroup. Salmonella Cubana was first isolated by Curbelo in Cuba from diseased baby chicks. This serovar is very rare. Serovar Cubana was also identified from environmental samples from a ready-to-eat granola and cereal production facility.

NCBI PD link for serovar Cubana: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Cubana%22)

Genetic characteristics: Serovar Cubana has been found to be polyphyletic with six lineages identified and three stand-alone singletons that do not cluster with any other Salmonella Cubana isolates. Some studies have found the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in serovar Cubana isolates. Resistance to β-Lactam antibiotics was identified in a serovar Cubana isolate from a clinical case in the U.S.

Animal reservoir: Serovar Cubana was mainly associated with poultry.

Geographical distribution: Serovar Cubana has been found in the U.S., Canada, Cuba, and Sweden.

Human outbreaks: Outbreaks have been associated with S. Cubana.

Year	Location	Associated source	Number of cases
1966	US: CA	Carmine dye capsules	7
1998	US: Multi-state	Alfalfa sprouts	34*
2009	US: Minnesota	Sprouts	2
2009	Canada	Onion sprouts and mixed onion/alfalfa sprout	14
2010	US: Multi-state	Alfalfa sprouts	3
2012	US: Multi-state	Sprouts	19

*: Three serovars (S. Havana, S. Cubana, S. Tennessee) were involved in this outbreak.

Border rejections: There have been no recent border rejections linked to this serovar.

Recalls:

Year	Location	Recalled Product	Type
2023-2024	US: Multi-state	Granola bars and granola cereals	Human food

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Salmonella Cubana