Novel Insights into Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonellae

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2024 | Viewed by 29116

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Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
Interests: zoonoses; antimicrobial resistance; Brucella spp.
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Dear Colleagues,

Salmonellae are Gram-negative organisms belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. More than 2500 serotypes have been described within the genus. Several animal species may act as reservoirs for Salmonella spp., including livestock animals, pets and cold-blooded animals. Non-typhoidal salmonellosis in humans is usually due to consumption of food of animal origin or to contact with animals. It has been estimated that foodborne infections account for 2.8 billion cases of diarrheal disease and 155,000 deaths per year. Moreover, infections with invasive serotypes or multidrug-resistant strains may cause high morbidity and mortality with increased costs for therapy and long periods of hospitalization.

The genes coding for the pathogenicity factors and drug resistance determinants are organized in the so-called pathogenicity islands that are frequently involved in genetic exchange, thus promoting evolutionary changes.

The focus of this Special Issue is to describe the mechanisms of pathogenesis of salmonellae, through innovative techniques of genome sequencing and in-vivo and in-vitro experimental models. Studies on mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and new control strategies other than antibiotics will also be considered.

Dr. Marialaura Corrente
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • salmonella
  • foodborne infections
  • pathogenicity islands
  • antimicrobial resistance

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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15 pages, 518 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial and Biofilm Production Inhibition Activity of Thymus vulgaris L. Essential Oil against Salmonella spp. Isolates from Reptiles
by Michela Galgano, Daniela Mrenoshki, Francesco Pellegrini, Loredana Capozzi, Marco Cordisco, Laura Del Sambro, Adriana Trotta, Michele Camero, Maria Tempesta, Domenico Buonavoglia, Piero Laricchiuta, Cristiana Catella, Annamaria Pratelli, Alessio Buonavoglia and Marialaura Corrente
Pathogens 2023, 12(6), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12060804 - 05 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1249
Abstract
Salmonellosis is an infectious disease affecting both animals and humans. Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) and biofilm-producing Salmonella spp., frequently detected in reptiles (who can then act as asymptomatic carriers for warm-blooded animals), have developed resistance to biocides; this represents a warning for the emergence [...] Read more.
Salmonellosis is an infectious disease affecting both animals and humans. Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) and biofilm-producing Salmonella spp., frequently detected in reptiles (who can then act as asymptomatic carriers for warm-blooded animals), have developed resistance to biocides; this represents a warning for the emergence of biocide/antimicrobial cross-resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO) in inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm production of Salmonella spp., which had been isolated from wild reptiles housed in a Zoo in Italy. The resistance profile against different classes of antibiotics showed that all the isolates were susceptible to the tested antibiotics, despite the presence of several AMR genes. All the isolates were also tested with aqueous solutions of TEO at different dilutions (5% to 0.039%). Interestingly, TEO proved effective both in inhibiting bacterial growth at low dilutions, with MIC and MBC values ranging between 0.078% and 0.312%, and in inhibiting biofilm production, with values ranging from 0.039% to 0.156%. TEO demonstrated effective bioactivity against the biofilm producer Salmonella spp., proving to be a valid disinfectant for the prevention of salmonellosis from reptiles, a possible source of infection for humans exposed to the reptiles’ environment. Full article
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16 pages, 849 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Strains Isolated from Human, Wild Boar, and Environmental Samples in 2018–2020 in the Northwest of Italy
by Valeria Listorti, Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Monica Pitti, Cristiana Maurella, Daniela Adriano, Carlo Ercolini, Monica Dellepiane, Lisa Guardone and Elisabetta Razzuoli
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11121446 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1318
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide, and integrated surveillance is a key aspect in a One Health control strategy. Additionally, Salmonella is the second most common zoonosis in Europe. We aimed to investigate the circulation of Salmonella [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide, and integrated surveillance is a key aspect in a One Health control strategy. Additionally, Salmonella is the second most common zoonosis in Europe. We aimed to investigate the circulation of Salmonella strains and their related antimicrobial resistance in human, environmental, and wild boar samples from the northwest of Italy, from 2018 to 2020, to obtain a more comprehensive epidemiological picture. Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-, S. Veneziana and S. Newport were the most common serotypes occurring in humans, the environment, and wild boar, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance was rather common in Salmonella isolates, with those from human displaying the highest degree of resistance against sulfadiazine–sulfamerazine–sulfamethazine (>90% of resistance). Moreover, resistance against azithromycin were exclusively observed in environmental samples, while only 7.7% (95% CI = 1.6–20.8) of wild boar isolates experienced resistance against trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug resistance concurrently involved up to seven antimicrobial classes in human isolates, including third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Salmonella Typhimurium in humans and serotypes Goldcoast and Rissen from environmental sources showed the highest levels of resistance. This study shows diverse antimicrobial resistance patterns in Salmonella strains isolated from different sources and gives a broad picture of antimicrobial resistance spread in wild animals, humans, and the environment. Full article
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12 pages, 4089 KiB  
Article
Efficacy of Repeated Applications of Bacteriophages on Salmonella enterica-Infected Alfalfa Sprouts during Germination
by Catherine W. Y. Wong and Siyun Wang
Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101156 - 06 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1341
Abstract
Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica is one of the leading pathogens for foodborne outbreaks in a multitude of food commodities, including alfalfa sprouts, which are commonly consumed raw. The food industry has commonly used chlorinated washes, but such methods may not be perceived as natural; [...] Read more.
Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica is one of the leading pathogens for foodborne outbreaks in a multitude of food commodities, including alfalfa sprouts, which are commonly consumed raw. The food industry has commonly used chlorinated washes, but such methods may not be perceived as natural; this can be a detriment as a large portion of sprouts are designated for the organic market. A natural and affordable antimicrobial method that has been acquiring popularity is the use of bacteriophages. This study compared the efficacy of repeated daily applications and a single application of two separate bacteriophage cocktails (SE14, SE20, SF6 and SE14, SF5, SF6) against four Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) strains on germinating alfalfa sprout seeds from days 0 to 7. The results show S. Enteritidis to be the most susceptible to both cocktails with ~2.5 log CFU/mL decrease on day 0 with cocktail SE14, SF5, and SF6. S. enterica populations on all strains continued to grow even with repeated daily bacteriophage applications but in a significantly decreased rate (p < 0.05) compared with a single bacteriophage application. The extent of the reduction was dependent on the S. enterica strain, but the results do show benefits to using repeated bacteriophage applications during sprout germination to reduce S. enterica populations compared with a single bacteriophage application. Full article
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13 pages, 16959 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Salmonella enterica Contamination in Pork and Poultry Meat from São Paulo/Brazil: Serotypes, Genotypes and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles
by Vasco T. M. Gomes, Luisa Z. Moreno, Ana Paula S. Silva, Siddhartha Thakur, Roberto M. La Ragione, Alison E. Mather and Andrea M. Moreno
Pathogens 2022, 11(3), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11030358 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6028
Abstract
Salmonellosis is a zoonosis of major relevance to global public health. Here we present the assessment of Salmonella enterica contamination in pork and poultry meat sold at retail markets in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 780 meat samples (386 poultry meat and [...] Read more.
Salmonellosis is a zoonosis of major relevance to global public health. Here we present the assessment of Salmonella enterica contamination in pork and poultry meat sold at retail markets in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 780 meat samples (386 poultry meat and 394 pork samples) were collected from 132 markets. From these, 57 samples (7.3%) were positive for S. enterica isolation, including 32 (8.3%) poultry meat and 25 (6.3%) pork samples. S. enterica isolates were further characterized for serotyping, antimicrobial resistance and genotyping by amplified fragment length polymorphism and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial resistance analysis demonstrated two main profiles: pork isolates were more resistant to macrolides, β-lactams, tetracycline, phenicols, and fluoroquinolones, and poultry meat isolates presented higher resistance to fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracycline, and β-lactams. A total of 72.4% of poultry meat isolates were identified as S. Heidelberg, while most of pork isolates were S. Typhimurium (31.7%) and S. Give (16.7%). Genotyping resulted in most clusters consisting exclusively of pork or poultry meat, no cross-contamination was detected, and a tendency to differentiate isolates according to their serotypes and markets of origin. High resistance rates to critically important antimicrobials reinforce the importance of controlling Salmonella contamination in meat production chains. Full article
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13 pages, 1789 KiB  
Article
Whole-Genome Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Enteritidis Strains Isolated from Poultry Sources in Korea
by Tae-Min La, Taesoo Kim, Hong-Jae Lee, Joong-Bok Lee, Seung-Yong Park, In-Soo Choi and Sang-Won Lee
Pathogens 2021, 10(12), 1615; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10121615 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2722
Abstract
The Salmonella Enterica subsp. Enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of main serovars isolated from human patients with food poisoning and poultry without clinical signs. Consumption of poultry products contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis is a common source of human salmonellosis; 82 Salmonella spp. were [...] Read more.
The Salmonella Enterica subsp. Enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of main serovars isolated from human patients with food poisoning and poultry without clinical signs. Consumption of poultry products contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis is a common source of human salmonellosis; 82 Salmonella spp. were isolated from 291 samples of retail chicken meat, 201 one-day-old chicks, 30 internal organs of chickens, 156 chicken eggs, 100 duck eggs, 38 straw bedding samples, 18 samples of retail duck meat, and 19 swab samples from slaughterhouses in 2019 and 2020. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed for all isolates, revealing 33 multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The whole genome of 33 MDR strains isolated in 2019 and 2020 and 10 strains isolated in 2011, 2012, and 2017 was sequenced using the MinION sequencing protocol. Within these 43 samples, 5 serovars were identified: S. Enteritidis, S. Agona, S. Virchow, S. Albany, and S. Bareilly. The most common serovar was S. Enteritidis (26/43), which showed the highest resistance to ampicillin (100%), followed by nalidixic acid (90%) and colistin (83%). Core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that the S. Enteritidis strains isolated from different sources and in different years were clustered together. In addition, the S. Enteritidis strains isolated since 2011 consistently harbored the same antibiotic resistance patterns. Full article
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15 pages, 1372 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella spp. Isolates from Poultry Farms in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Abdinasir Yusuf Osman, Sharifo Ali Elmi, David Simons, Linzy Elton, Najmul Haider, Mohd Azam Khan, Iekhsan Othman, Alimuddin Zumla, David McCoy and Richard Kock
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091160 - 09 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3229
Abstract
The burden of antimicrobial use in agricultural settings is one of the greatest challenges facing global health and food security in the modern era. Malaysian poultry operations are a relevant but understudied component of epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to identify the [...] Read more.
The burden of antimicrobial use in agricultural settings is one of the greatest challenges facing global health and food security in the modern era. Malaysian poultry operations are a relevant but understudied component of epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to identify the prevalence, resistance patterns, and risk factors associated with Salmonella isolates from poultry farms in three states of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia. Between 8 February 2019 and 23 February 2020, a total of 371 samples (cloacal swabs = 259; faecal = 84; Sewage = 14, Tap water = 14) was collected from poultry operations. Characteristics of the sampled farms and associated risk factors were obtained using semi-structured questionnaires. Presumptive Salmonella spp. isolates were identified based on colony morphology with subsequent biochemical and PCR confirmation. Susceptibility of isolates was tested against a panel of 12 antimicrobials using disk diffusion method. Our findings revealed that the proportion of Salmonella spp.-positive isolates across sample source were as following: cloacal swab (46.3%, 120/259); faecal (59.5%, 50/84); in tap water (14.3%, 2/14); and in sewage sample (35.7%, 5/14). Isolates from faecal (15.5%, 13/84), cloacal (1.2%, 3/259), and sewage (7.1%, 1/14) samples were significantly resistant to at least five classes of antimicrobials. Resistance to Sulfonamides class (52%, 92/177) was predominantly observed followed by tetracycline (39.5%, 70/177) and aminoglycosides (35.6%, 63/177). Multivariate regression analysis identified intensive management system (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.00–2.40) as a leading driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) acquisition. A prevalence of resistance to common antimicrobials was recorded for sulfamethoxazole (33.9%), tetracycline (39.5%), and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (37.9%). A close association between different risk factors and the prevalence of AMR of Salmonella strains suggests a concern over rising misuse of veterinary antimicrobials that may contribute to the emergence and evolution of multidrug-resistant pathogen isolates. One Health approach is recommended to achieve a positive health outcome for all species. Full article
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14 pages, 428 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of IncFIB Plasmids Found among Salmonella enterica Serovar Schwarzengrund Isolates from Animal Sources in Taiwan Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
by I-Chen Li, Hsiu-Hui Wu, Zeng-Weng Chen and Chung-Hsi Chou
Pathogens 2021, 10(8), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10081024 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2178
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Schwarzengrund is one of the most frequently isolated Salmonella serotypes responsible for human and poultry infections in Taiwan, and it has raised public health concerns. To better facilitate the understanding of transmission patterns and the dynamics of epidemics, sharing molecular [...] Read more.
Salmonella enterica serovar Schwarzengrund is one of the most frequently isolated Salmonella serotypes responsible for human and poultry infections in Taiwan, and it has raised public health concerns. To better facilitate the understanding of transmission patterns and the dynamics of epidemics, sharing molecular data on pathogen profiles is urgently needed. The objectives of the current study were to determine and establish baseline data of S. enterica serovar Schwarzengrund isolates from 23 epidemiologically unrelated sources from year 2000 to 2018 and examine their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Genomic DNA of the Salmonella isolates was extracted and subjected to whole-genome sequencing using an Illumina platform. Results showed that all selected isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, and six of those were resistant to ciprofloxacin phenotypically. Genotypically, these isolates carried genes resistant to aminoglycoside (100%), phenicol (91.3%), β-lactams (69.5%), folate pathway antagonist (100%), tetracycline (82.6%), and fluoroquinolone (4.3%). Moreover, these isolates harbor integrons with five different gene cassettes identified for the first time, which are associated with resistance to trimethoprim, streptomycin, tetracycline, sulfonamide, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin. Furthermore, prevalence of IncFIB plasmid was found among studied isolates, which may increase its ability to colonize the chicken cecum and cause extra-intestinal disease. Salmonella pathogenicity islands SPI-1 to SPI-5, SPI-13, and SPI-14, as well as C63PI locus, were also detected in all isolates. This study demonstrated that a considerable high antimicrobial resistance with high virulence levels of Salmonella were found from animal sources. Sharing data on these pathogen profiles can not only help increase the reproducibility and accessibility of genomic analysis but can also support surveillance and epidemiological investigations for salmonellosis in the region. Full article
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12 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistances of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Wild Boars in Liguria Region, Italy
by Elisabetta Razzuoli, Valeria Listorti, Isabella Martini, Laura Migone, Lucia Decastelli, Walter Mignone, Enrica Berio, Roberta Battistini, Carlo Ercolini, Laura Serracca, Tiziana Andreoli, Monica Dellepiane, Daniela Adriano, Monica Pitti, Daniela Meloni and Paola Modesto
Pathogens 2021, 10(5), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10050568 - 07 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1950
Abstract
Salmonella spp. is an important zoonotic agent. Wild boars might host this pathogen in the intestinal tract and might represent a risk for Salmonella spp. transmission to humans. Wild boars are widely spread in Liguria, due to the environmental characteristics of the region. [...] Read more.
Salmonella spp. is an important zoonotic agent. Wild boars might host this pathogen in the intestinal tract and might represent a risk for Salmonella spp. transmission to humans. Wild boars are widely spread in Liguria, due to the environmental characteristics of the region. The aim of the study was the isolation, typing, and investigation of antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated strains of Salmonella spp. During the 2013–2017 hunting seasons, 4335 livers of wild boars were collected and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp. A total of 260 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated and characterized, with a prevalence of 6%. The isolated strains belonged to all six Salmonella enterica subspecies. Most of them were identified as Salmonella enterica subs. enterica of which 31 different serotypes were identified. The dominating serotype identified was S. Enteritidis. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolated strains were analyzed against sixteen molecules. Of the isolated strains, 94.6% were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobials. This study showed the circulation of resistant Salmonella spp. strains in the wild boar population living in this area of Italy, underling the potential risk for these animals to disseminate this pathogen and its antimicrobial resistances. Full article
18 pages, 2544 KiB  
Article
Phenelzine and Amoxapine Inhibit Tyramine and d-Glucuronic Acid Catabolism in Clinically Significant Salmonella in A Serotype-Independent Manner
by Raquel Burin and Devendra H. Shah
Pathogens 2021, 10(4), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040469 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2449
Abstract
Non-typhoidal Salmonella ingeniously scavenges energy for growth from tyramine (TYR) and d-glucuronic acid (DGA), both of which occur in the host as the metabolic byproducts of the gut microbial metabolism. A critical first step in energy scavenging from TYR and DGA in Salmonella [...] Read more.
Non-typhoidal Salmonella ingeniously scavenges energy for growth from tyramine (TYR) and d-glucuronic acid (DGA), both of which occur in the host as the metabolic byproducts of the gut microbial metabolism. A critical first step in energy scavenging from TYR and DGA in Salmonella involves TYR-oxidation via TYR-oxidoreductase and production of free-DGA via β-glucuronidase (GUS)-mediated hydrolysis of d-glucuronides (conjugated form of DGA), respectively. Here, we report that Salmonella utilizes TYR and DGA as sole sources of energy in a serotype-independent manner. Using colorimetric and radiometric approaches, we report that genes SEN2971, SEN3065, and SEN2426 encode TYR-oxidoreductases. Some Salmonella serotypes produce GUS, thus can also scavenge energy from d-glucuronides. We repurposed phenelzine (monoaminoxidase-inhibitor) and amoxapine (GUS-inhibitor) to inhibit the TYR-oxidoreductases and GUS encoded by Salmonella, respectively. We show that phenelzine significantly inhibits the growth of Salmonella by inhibiting TYR-oxidoreductases SEN2971, SEN3065, and SEN2426. Similarly, amoxapine significantly inhibits the growth of Salmonella by inhibiting GUS-mediated hydrolysis of d-glucuronides. Because TYR and DGA serve as potential energy sources for Salmonella growth in vivo, the data and the novel approaches used here provides a better understanding of the role of TYR and DGA in Salmonella pathogenesis and nutritional virulence. Full article
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13 pages, 297 KiB  
Review
Through the Looking Glass: Genome, Phenome, and Interactome of Salmonella enterica
by Jean Guard
Pathogens 2022, 11(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11050581 - 14 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2316
Abstract
This review revisits previous concepts on biological phenomenon contributing to the success of the Salmonella enterica subspecies I as a pathogen and expands upon them to include progress in epidemiology based on whole genome sequencing (WGS). Discussion goes beyond epidemiological uses of WGS [...] Read more.
This review revisits previous concepts on biological phenomenon contributing to the success of the Salmonella enterica subspecies I as a pathogen and expands upon them to include progress in epidemiology based on whole genome sequencing (WGS). Discussion goes beyond epidemiological uses of WGS to consider how phenotype, which is the biological character of an organism, can be correlated with its genotype to develop a knowledge of the interactome. Deciphering genome interactions with proteins, the impact of metabolic flux, epigenetic modifications, and other complex biochemical processes will lead to new therapeutics, control measures, environmental remediations, and improved design of vaccines. Full article

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11 pages, 248 KiB  
Case Report
Salmonella enterica Subsp. houtenae Associated with an Abscess in Young Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
by Adriana Trotta, Laura Del Sambro, Michela Galgano, Stefano Ciccarelli, Erika Ottone, Domenico Simone, Antonio Parisi, Domenico Buonavoglia and Marialaura Corrente
Pathogens 2021, 10(6), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10060654 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2607
Abstract
Background: S. enterica subsp. houtenae has been rarely documented, and very limited genomic information is available. This report describes a rare case of primary extraintestinal salmonellosis in a young roe deer, associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae. Methods: A traditional cultural-based analysis was [...] Read more.
Background: S. enterica subsp. houtenae has been rarely documented, and very limited genomic information is available. This report describes a rare case of primary extraintestinal salmonellosis in a young roe deer, associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae. Methods: A traditional cultural-based analysis was carried out from the contents of a neck abscess; biochemical identification and PCR assay were performed to isolate and identify the pathogen. Through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), core genome MLST (cgMLST), and the Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) survey, resistome and virulome genes were investigated to gain insight into the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of S. houtenae. Results: Biochemical identification and PCR confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp. in the swelling. The WGS analysis identified Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae serovar 43:z4,z23:- and ST 958. The virulence study predicted a multidrug resistance pattern with resistance shown against aminoglycosides, tetracycline, beta-lactamase, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin, nitroimidazole, aminocoumarin, and peptide. Fifty-three antibiotic-resistant genes were identified. No plasmids were detected. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of continuous surveillance of pathogenic salmonellae. Biomolecular analyses combined with epidemiological data can provide important information about poorly described Salmonella strains and can help to improve animal welfare. Full article
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