Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Javiana (antigenic formula 1,9,12:l,z28:1,5) is a serovar of the O:9 (D1) serogroup. S. Javiana is the fourth most common Salmonella serovar identified among human clinical infections in the U.S. S. Javiana is known to produce the typhoid toxin. S. Javiana has been associated with a number of outbreaks that identified fresh produce as the source. NCBI PD link for S. Javiana: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Javiana%22)
Genetic characteristics: S. Javiana is primarily regarded as pansusceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics. According to the U.S. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) surveillance dashboard, none of the 3,047 S. Javiana isolates tested between 1996-2024 showed phenotypic resistance to 20 clinically relevant antibiotics.
Animal reservoir: According to CDC, 2011, S. Javiana is found in non-clinical non-human sources, specifically, non-clinical chicken and turkey. In addition, S. Javiana infection has been associated with contact with reptiles and amphibians. This serovar has also been found in dogs.
Geographical distribution: S. Javiana has been reported among the top 10 serovars from human cases the U.S., in Australia sporadic cases have been reported. In addition, spices from Thailand have been found to contain strains of S. Javiana.
Outbreaks: Outbreaks of S. Javiana have been associated with fresh produce and animal contact.
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
| 2021 | US-multistate | Pre-cut Cantaloupe | 65 |
| 2019 | US-multistate | Fresh Cut Fruit | 165 |
2002 | US-Florida | Tomatoes | 159 |
2001 | US- Massachusetts | Amphibian | 66 |
1993 | Germany | Paprika & paprika-powdered potato chips (serovars Saintpaul and Rubislaw were also involved) | 1000 |
Border rejections: Multiple border rejections have been linked to serovar Javiana. They are all associated with black pepper imported from Brazil to Germany. Here are some examples.
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2022 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper1 | Herbs and spices |
| 2022 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper | Herbs and spices |
| 2021 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper2 | Herbs and spices |
| 2020 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper3 | Herbs and spices |
1 Salmonella Javiana and Salmonella Poona were both found.
2 Salmonella Javiana, Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Infantis were found.
3 Salmonella Saintpaul and Salmonella Javiana were both found.
Recalls:
Relevant links: