Which Salmonella serotype is commonly found in chicken and chicken eggs?

• A. Enteritidis
• B. Typhi
• C. Paratyphi A
• D. Typhimurium

Answer: (A)

Salmonella Enteritidis is the serotype most often found in poultry and eggs. It frequently colonizes laying hens and can contaminate eggs during formation or handling, which is why many outbreaks are traced to eggs. The other serotypes have different typical reservoirs or disease patterns: Typhi and Paratyphi A are human-restricted and cause typhoid fever, not poultry-associated illness; Typhimurium is also found in birds and animals and can cause illness from poultry, but it’s not as strongly linked to eggs as Enteritidis. Understanding this link helps explain why Enteritidis is the best answer for contamination risks tied to chicken and eggs.