ABSTRACT
The Salmonella are named after D. E. Salmon, an American bacteriologist and veterinarian. Currently, these organisms are classified as Genus III in the Family Enterobacteriaceae. Some of the characteristics of the Salmonella which have made possible the outbreaks of disease reported at various times through history are the same as those used by taxonomists for the classification of these bacteria as members of the Enterobacteriaceae. These characteristics are not always stable in microorganisms, and therefore, nomenclature and classification of isolates which are to be included within the genus Salmonella remain somewhat controversial. In the US, the authority of this classification continues to be Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. This authority places these bacteria in a number of different species. The World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee considers that the taxonomy of this group is now established on a scientific basis with the proposal of LeMinor et al. and states without qualification that the genus Salmonella contains only one species.
