Outbreaks of foodborne Salmonella enteritidis in the United States between 1990 and 2015: An analysis of epidemiological and spatial-temporal trends

Objectives To evaluate the role of eggs and other food vehicles as risk factors associated with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) outbreaks in order to address the endemicity of SE infections in the USA. Methods We retrieved and analyzed data relating to all SE outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1990 and 2015. We then used descriptive and analytical statistical methods, including negative binomial regression models for the estimation of rate-ratios, to analyze the data. Results Analyses showed that egg-based dishes were the most common food vehicle associated with outbreaks of SE in the USA (273 cases [24%]); this was followed by several other food items, including meat (130 cases [11%]), vegetables (96 cases [8%]), chicken items (95 cases [8%]), dairy products (55 cases [5%]), and bakery items (8 cases [1%]). Compared to egg-based dishes, other food items such as meat (exp(β) = 0.51, 95% CI 0.37, 0.69), chicken (exp(β) = 0.42, 95% CI 0.30, 0.58), vegetables (exp(β) = 0.41, 95% CI 0.29, 0.55), and dairy items (exp(β) = 0.27, 95% CI 0.18, 0.40) were significantly associated with outbreaks of SE in the USA. Of 1144 SE outbreaks, 402 (35%) occurred in the Northeast region of the USA, followed by the South (253 [22%]), West (250 [22%]), and Midwestern regions (239 [21%]). Conclusions Epidemiological and spatiotemporal trends analyses demonstrated that a significant proportions of Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks in the USA are attributed to food vehicles other than eggs. Our findings can be used to plan effective strategies to mitigate the increasing occurrence of foodborne SE outbreaks.