Human salmonellosis in Germany has been an increasing problem since the 1980s, with a peak
of 195000 reported cases in 1992. During the peak years, isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE)
predominated by far over other salmonella serovars (NSE) (80 vs. 20%). In a comparison of
the clinical characteristics of 790 persons infected with SE to 175 persons infected with NSE,
watery diarrhoea (OR 1·7) and high grade (> 39 °C) fever (OR 1·8) were independently
associated with SE infection. When comparing possible risk factors for acquiring salmonella
infection among patients with SE compared to those with NSE, consumption of raw eggs (OR
4·4; P = 0·0006) was the most significant alimentary risk factor for SE infection, while travel
outside Europe was negatively associated with SE infection (OR 0·08; P = 0·0001). When
comparing all patients with salmonella infection, regardless of serovar, with healthy controls,
consumption of raw eggs (OR 30·3; P = 0·001), of raw or undercooked eggs (OR 1·9;
P = 0·003), or having puppies, kittens or turtles (OR 6·8; P = 0·002),
were risk factors for salmonellosis.