Salmonella Enteritidis in England and Wales: increases in unusual phage types in 2002

Although Salmonella Enteritidis phage type (PT) 4, responsible for the major epidemic during the late 1980s and early 1990s (1), has continued to decline, there have been increases in a number of the more unusual phage types of S. Enteritidis (2). Isolates of S. Enteritidis PT 3, 6a, 13a and 14b and 21 confirmed by the Public Health Laboratory Service Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (PHLS LEP) in England have all increased during 2002 (table 1) (3).