Introduction: Zoonoses are diseases that can naturally be transmitted from animals to humans. In Slovenia, zoonoses are notifiable and controlled by interdisciplinary zoonosis monitoring program. Zoonozes are reported in the framework of epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases. Objective: The objective of this thesis is to establish whether there is a correlation between the occurrence of campylobacterioses and salmonelloses in humans and the presence of Campylobacter bacteria and Salmonellae in selected sampled food items. Methods: A retrospective correlational (ecological) study was conducted. The already collected primary data was analysed. The quantity of studied variables was defined, their underlying characteristics evaluated, and the existence and strength of correlation between two variables was determined. The data was statistically processed with the SPSS 22.0.0.0 programme, the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated, and trend graphs and correlation diagrams were prepared. Results: In the observed period 2004–2013, the changes in the share of food items infected with Campylobacter bacteria and Salmonellae are not reflected in the number of all reported cases of campylobacterioses and salmonelloses in humans. The incidence rate of campylobacterioses in humans is constant and the presence of Campylobacter bacteria in food samples is on the increase. The correlation is negative, moderately strong, and statistically not significant (r = –0,41, p > 0,05). The incidence rate of salmonelloses has decreased distinctively in the selected period, but the presence of Salmonellae in food samples was increasing. The correlation between the variables is negative, weak and statistically irrelevant (r = –0,29, p > 0,05). A very strong, almost perfect, and statistically distinctive correlation in the selected time period is confirmed between the incidence rate of salmonelloses in humans caused by S. Enteritidis and the share of food items, infected with S. Enteritidis ( = 0,98, p < 0,01); both variables have a distinctive downward trend in the 2004–2013 period. The incidence rate of salmonelloses in humans infected with S. Infantis or other Salmonellae and the share of all positive sampled food items infected with S. Infantis or other Salmonellae have a distinctive growth trend. A downward trend has been noticed in the incidence rate of salmonelloses in humans, caused by S. Typhimurium, and the share of positive sampled food items of beef and pork meat infected with S. Typhimurium. There is a positive, moderately high correlation (r = 0,45, r = 0,45 and r = 0,46) between the abovementioned variables, which is statistically not relevant however (p > 0,05). Only in the 2004 – 2011 period, the incidence rate of salmonelloses in humans as well as the number of food items infected with Salmonellae have been on the decrease. A strong, positive, statistically distinctive correlation has been established between the incidence rate of salmonelloses and the share of Salmonellae-infected poultry in the period of 2004–2011 (r = 0,79, p < 0,05). Discussion and conclusions: The hypothesis of correlation between the incidence of all campylobacterioses or salmonelloses and the share of food items infected with Campylobacter bacteria and Salmonellae is not confirmed. With a more detailed data analysis it is established however that some changes to the share of infected food items are reflected in the change of infection incidence in humans. Especially the decrease of S. Enteritidis incidence in food items is reflected in the decrease of incidence of infections with this serotype in humans. Based on the observations, the implementation of measures for reducing the occurrence of infectious intestinal diseases caused by food items is proposed, more specifically by preventive action, awareness-rising and education of population.
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