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Created by
Brad Yang, last updated by Caroline Renea Yates on Jun 30, 2025
2 minute read
Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Paratyphi B (antigenic formula 1,4,[5],12:b:1,2) is a serovar of the O:4 (B) serogroup. Serovar Paratyphi B can be classified by its ability to ferment tartrate. Serovar Paratyphi B (tartrate negative) is associated with paratyphoid fever and infections with this serovar are not common in the US. Serovar Paratyphi B (tartrate positive), formerly serovar Java, is associated with gastroenteritis and can also be written as serovar Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+.
NCBI PD link for serovar Paratyphi B: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Paratyphi%20B%22)
NCBI PD link for serovar Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Paratyphi%20B%20var.%20L(+)%20tartrate+%22)
Genetic Characteristics: Serovar Paratyphi B has been found to be polyphyletic with four phylogenetic groups identified.
Animal reservoir: Serovar Paratyphi B is almost exclusively host restricted to humans and closely related anthropoids. Serovar Paratyphi B var. Java has been found in dogs.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Paratyphi B has been found worldwide.
Outbreaks: Several outbreaks have been associated with S. Paratyphi B.
| Year | Location | Associated Source | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US: Multistate | Sprouted nut butter spread | 13 |
| 2015 | US: Multistate | Frozen raw tuna | 65 |
| 2012 | US: Multistate | Tempeh | 63 |
| 1999 | Canada | Alfalfa sprouts | 51 |
| 1986 | UK | Food Handler | 3 |
Border Rejections:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2024 | Germany | Italy | Frozen chicken legs | Poultry meat and poultry meat products |
| 2023 | Netherlands | Italy | Frozen chicken mince | Poultry meat and poultry meat products |
| 2021 | Netherlands | Italy | Chicken drumsticks | Poultry meat and poultry meat products |
Recalls:
| Year | Location | Recalled food | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US: Multistate | Sprouted nut butter spread | Other food product |
| 2012 | US: Multistate | Tempeh | Other food product |
Relevant links:
- https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/salmonella-paratyphi-infection-2019/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1547190/full
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/salmonella/paratyphi-b-05-15/index.html
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/salmonella/paratyphi-b-12-15/index.html
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/05/rare-salmonella-paratyphi-outbreak-grows-as-investigation-continues/
- https://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/H12-21-27-16.pdf
- https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268800030843
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/tag/salmonella-paratyphi-b/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/salmonella-enterica-serovar-paratyphi-b
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2514109/
- https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13174
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/614380
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/467929
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/salmonella/paratyphi-b-12-15/advice.html