Bovine Salmonellosis Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Salmonellosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Salmonella enterica that affects cattle of all ages, causing enteritis, septicemia, pneumonia, abortion, and significant economic losses. It is one of the most important gastrointestinal diseases in bovine practice and a major focus on the NAVLE due to its clinical variability, zoonotic potential, and public health significance.

Salmonellosis rivals only Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in its ability to cause such diverse clinical presentations in cattle. The increasing prevalence of Salmonella Dublin, a host-adapted serotype with multidrug-resistant characteristics, has become a major challenge for producers and veterinarians in recent years.

Etiology

Salmonella enterica is a gram-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Over 2,000 serotypes exist, but cattle are clinically infected by fewer than 10 serotypes. The organism possesses peritrichous flagella for motility and fimbriae for attachment to intestinal epithelium.