Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Lomalinda (antigenic formula 1,9,12:a:e,n,x) is a serovar of the O:9 (D1) serogroup. This serovar was first isolated from the spinal fluid of a baby that died of meningitis in 1944 in Loma Linda, California, US. 

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

Genetic characteristics: Serovar Lomalinda has been found to be polyphyletic with two lineages identified. Stanley et al. reported the presence of virulence plasmids carrying in serovar Lomalinda.

Animal reservoir: Unknown, but according to the metadata from NCBI PD, serovar Lomalinda was previously isolated from rodents and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

Geographical distribution: According to the metadata from NCBI PD, serovar Lomalinda has only been reported in US, Canada and UK.

Human outbreaks:

Year

Location

Associated source

Number of cases

2021

US: multistate

Not identified 

10

2013

US: CA

Not identified

At least 7

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

Recalls: There have been no recent recalls linked to this serovar.

Relevant links:

  1. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-57-14714
  2. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1547190/full#h10
  3. https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-41-2-112
  4. https://outbreakdatabase.com/outbreaks/2021-multistate-outbreak-of-salmonella-lomalinda-infections-source-unknown
  5. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/11/7-sick-in-california-salmonella-outbreak/