Growing Threat

Salmonella Dublin is a type of bacterium that infects primarily cattle, but some strains can adapt to infect humans—causing severe illness and death in cattle and blood infections and hospitalization in humans. Penn State researchers investigated how strains of the pathogen are evolving and spreading across humans, cattle, and the environment in the United States.

The researchers, who published their findings in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, reported that despite some genetic differences across 2,150 strains of Salmonella Dublin, the bacteria remained highly similar. This shows potential for cross-transmission between cattle, humans, and the environment, said team leader Erika Ganda, associate professor of food animal microbiomes.

Some strains are becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant, making it a growing public health threat, noted study first author Sophia Kenney, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Animal Science.

—Jeff Mulhollem