Occurrence and Distribution of Serovars Associated with Human Infection Isolated from Irrigation Waters and Food-producing Animals in Southern Italy: Eleven-year Monitoring (2011-2021)

is one of the main zoonotic agents causing foodborne diseases in Europe. The main reservoirs of the infection are represented by domestic and wild animals, and the infection occurs by direct contact or following the consumption of contaminated food or water. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of spp. in food-producing animals and irrigation waters in southern Italy and the serovar distribution. From 2011 to 2021, a total of 473 samples from 6 different animal species (bovine, buffalo, goat, ovine, swine, poultry, and wild boars) and 313 irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed. The overall percentage of positive samples was 56.87% in organs, 50.85% in feces, and 20.45% in irrigation waters. By animal species, the most frequently detected serovar was Typhimurium in bovine (17.39%), in buffalo (13.10%) and swine (28.21%), and Kentucky (24.78%) in poultry. The subspecies was frequently detected in goats (40.00%) and ovine (83.33%), while (14.12%) and IIIb (11.76%) were frequently isolated in wild boars. In the irrigation water samples, the most frequently detected serovar was Napoli (25%). Results revealed that, although in Europe, control strategies aimed at preventing the spread of have been implemented, the prevalence of this pathogen in food-producing animals and irrigation waters is high. Considering the risk to public health associated with the contamination of products or foods, more stringent control interventions are needed at primary production and along the food chain.