Salmonella Muenster

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Muenster (antigenic formula 3,{10}{15}{15,34}:e,h:1,5) is a serovar of the O:3,10 (E₁) serogroup. This serovar is susceptible to lysogeny by phage ε₁₅, which can result in the replacement of factor O:10 with factor O:15; lysogenized serovars with factor O:15 are then further susceptible to lysogeny by phage ε₃₄ (O:15 → O:15,24).

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

Genetic characteristics:

Animal reservoir: Dairy cattle is the reservoir for serovar Muenster. This serovar was also isolated from other animals such as pet bearded dragons, and birds (Tympanuchus cupido, Antigone canadensis).

Geographical distribution: According to the metadata from NCBI PD, serovar Muenster has been reported globally but primarily in US. Among a total of 2,659 serovar Muenster isolates available in NCBI PD (accessed 04/29/2025), there were 2,040 isolates collected in US.

Human outbreaks:

Year	Location	Associated source	Number of cases
2020	US: multistate	Pet bearded dragons	18
2008	France	Goat's cheese	25
2016	US: multistate	Live poultry	25
1980	Saudi Arabia	Roast beef	12

Border rejections:

Year	Exporting country	Importing country	Associated source	Product category
2024	Nigeria	Italy	Sesame seeds	Nuts, nut products and seeds
2020	Brazil	Germany	Black pepper	Herbs and spices
2020	Poland	Bulgaria	Frozen chicken leg quarters¹	Poultry meat and poultry meat products

¹Salmonella Infantis and Muenster were found.

Recalls:

Year	Location	Associated source	Type
2024	Germany, Ireland	Tahini from Lebanon	Nuts, nut products and seeds

Relevant links:

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Salmonella Muenster