Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. From Irrigation Water in Two Major Sources in Jordan

Wide distribution of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance gene, qnrS, among Salmonella spp. isolated from canal water in Thailand

AIMS

This research focused on assessing the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility in Salmonella strains isolated from Thai canal water.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From 2016 to 2020, 333 water samples were collected from six canals across Bangkok, Thailand. Salmonella spp. was isolated, PMQR genes were detected through polymerase chain reactions, and the antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the disk diffusion method. The results indicated a 92.2% prevalence of Salmonella spp. in canal water, being serogroups B and C the most frequently detected. Overall, 35.3% of isolates harbored PMQR genes, being qnrS the most prevalent gene (97.2%, n = 137/141). Other PMQR genes, including qnrB, qnrD, oqxAB, and aac(6')-Ib-cr, were detected. Notably, six isolates harbored multiple PMQR genes. Furthermore, 9.3% and 3.8% of the overall isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), respectively. PMQR-positive isolates showed higher rates of non-susceptibility to both NAL (48.2%, n = 68/141) and CIP (92.2%, n = 130/141) compared to PMQR-negative isolates (NAL: 8.9%, n = 23/258; CIP: 11.2%, n = 30/258).

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of Salmonella spp., significant PMQR-positive, and reduced susceptibility isolates in canal water is of public health concern in Bangkok.

Genomic analysis of Salmonella isolated from canal water in Bangkok, Thailand

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an escalating global public health threat. Canals are essential in Thailand, including the capital city, Bangkok, as agricultural and daily water sources. However, the characteristic and antimicrobial-resistance properties of the bacteria in the urban canals have never been elucidated. This study employed whole genome sequencing to characterize 30 genomes of a causal pathogenic bacteria, Salmonella enterica, isolated from Bangkok canal water between 2016 and 2020. The dominant serotype was Salmonella Agona. In total, 35 AMR genes and 30 chromosomal-mediated gene mutations were identified, in which 21 strains carried both acquired genes and mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Virulence factors associated with invasion, adhesion, and survival during infection were detected in all study strains. 75.9% of the study stains were multidrug-resistant and all the strains harbored the necessary virulence factors associated with salmonellosis. One strain carried 20 resistance genes, including mcr-3.1, mutations in GyrA, ParC, and ParE, and typhoid toxin-associated genes. Fifteen plasmid replicon types were detected, with Col(pHAD28) being the most common type. Comparative analysis of nine S. Agona from Bangkok and 167 from public databases revealed that specific clonal lineages of S. Agona might have been circulating between canal water and food sources in Thailand and globally. These findings provide insight into potential pathogens in the aquatic ecosystem and support the inclusion of environmental samples into comprehensive AMR surveillance initiatives as part of a One Health approach. This approach aids in comprehending the rise and dissemination of AMR and devising sustainable intervention strategies.IMPORTANCEBangkok is the capital city of Thailand and home to a large canal network that serves the city in various ways. The presence of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella is alarming and poses a significant public health risk. The present study is the first characterization of the genomic of Salmonella strains from Bangkok canal water. Twenty-two of 29 strains (75.9%) were multidrug-resistant Salmonella and all the strains carried essential virulence factors for pathogenesis. Various plasmid types were identified in these strains, potentially facilitating the horizontal transfer of AMR genes. Additional investigations indicated a potential circulation of S. Agona between canal water and food sources in Thailand. The current study underscores the role of environmental water in an urban city as a reservoir of pathogens and these data obtained can serve as a basis for public health risk assessment and help shape intervention strategies to combat AMR challenges in Thailand.

Occurrence of Salmonella spp. in animal patients and the hospital environment at a veterinary academic hospital in South Africa

Background and Aims

Nosocomial infections caused by Salmonella spp. are common in veterinary facilities. The early identification of high-risk patients and sources of infection is important for mitigating the spread of infections to animal patients and humans. This study investigated the occurrence of Salmonella spp. among patients at a veterinary academic hospital in South Africa. In addition, this study describes the environmental factors that contribute to the spread of Salmonella spp. in the veterinary facility.

Materials and Methods

This study used a dataset of Salmonella-positive animals and environmental samples submitted to the bacteriology laboratory between 2012 and 2019. The occurrence of Salmonella isolates at the veterinary hospital was described based on source, month, season, year, and location. Proportions and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each variable.

Results

A total of 715 Salmonella isolates were recorded, of which 67.6% (483/715) came from animals and the remainder (32.4%, 232/715) came from environmental samples. The highest proportion (29.2%) of Salmonella isolates was recorded in 2016 and most isolates were reported in November (17.4%). The winter season had the lowest (14.6%) proportion of isolates reported compared to spring (31.3%), summer (27.8%), and autumn (26.4%). Salmonella Typhimurium (20.0%) was the most frequently reported serotype among the samples tested, followed by Salmonella Anatum (11.2%). Among the positive animal cases, most (86.3%) came from equine clinics. Most reported isolates differed based on animal species with S. Typhimurium being common in equines and S. Anatum in bovines.

Conclusion

In this study, S. Typhimurium emerged as the predominant strain in animal and environmental samples. Equines were the most affected animals; however, Salmonella serotypes were also detected in the production animals. Environmental contamination was also a major source of Salmonella species in this study. To reduce the risk of transmission, strict infection prevention and control measures (biosecurity) must be implemented.

Occurrence and distribution of Salmonella serovars associated with human infection isolated from irrigation waters and food-producing animals in southern Italy: eleven-year monitoring (2011-2021)

Salmonella is one of the main zoonotic agents causing foodborne diseases in Europe. The main reservoirs of the infection are represented by domestic and wild animals, and the infection occurs by direct contact or following the consumption of contaminated food or water. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of Salmonella spp. in food-producing animals and irrigation waters in southern Italy and the serovar distribution. From 2011 to 2021, a total of 473 samples from 6 different animal species (bovine, buffalo, goat, ovine, swine, poultry, and wild boars) and 313 irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed. The overall percentage of positive samples was 56.87% in organs, 50.85% in feces, and 20.45% in irrigation waters. By animal species, the most frequently detected serovar was Salmonella Typhimurium in bovine (17.39%), in buffalo (13.10%) and swine (28.21%), and S. Kentucky (24.78%) in poultry. The subspecies diarizonaeIIIb was frequently detected in goats (40.00%) and ovine (83.33%), while salamaeII (14.12%) and diarizonaeIIIb (11.76%) were frequently isolated in wild boars. In the irrigation water samples, the most frequently detected serovar was S. Napoli (25%). Results revealed that, although in Europe, control strategies aimed at preventing the spread of Salmonella have been implemented, the prevalence of this pathogen in food-producing animals and irrigation waters is high. Considering the risk to public health associated with the contamination of products or foods, more stringent control interventions are needed at primary production and along the food chain.

Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Salmonella Isolates from Retail Meats in Nanchang, China, in Two Periods

Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne pathogens. In this article, a total of 160 Salmonella isolates recovered from retail meats in June-July 2018 (before COVID-19 outbreak) and December 2020-April 2021 (after COVID-19 outbreak) in Nanchang, China, were characterized for serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, and specific resistance gene screening. The prevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium increased from 5.4% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2021, and Salmonella Enteritidis increased from 3.3% in 2018 to 8.8% in 2021. Compared with those in June-July 2018, Salmonella isolates in December 2020-April 2021 demonstrated a significant increase in resistance to 13 tested antibiotics except for doxycycline and nitrofurantoin (p < 0.05). The Salmonella isolates in December 2020-April 2021 showed a higher presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes (qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS), and mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (gyrA Asp87Asn, gyrA Asp87Tyr, parC Thr57Ser, and parC Ser80Ile). Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze four polymyxin B-resistant strains. Some common mutation sites in eptC and micA were found in the four strains. Based on the data in this article, it indicated that antibiotic resistance was facilitated and more gene mutations related to quinolone resistance were developed.

Emerging Status of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Fungi in the Arabian Peninsula

Simple Summary

The incidence and developing status of multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi, as well as their related mortality, is reviewed by a systematic published literature search from nine countries in the Arabian Peninsula. In order to analyse the emerging status and mortality, a total of 382 research articles were selected from a comprehensive screening of 1705 papers. More than 850 deaths reported since 2010 in the Arabian Peninsula due to the infection of multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi. Multidrug-resistant bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi Candida auris are the most prevalent and causing high deaths. To control these infections and associated deaths in the Arabian Peninsula, continuous preventive measures, accurate methods for early diagnosis of infection, active surveillance, constant monitoring, developing vaccines, eradicating multidrug resistance modulators, and data sharing among countries are required.

Abstract

We aimed to identify the prevalence and emerging status of multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi and their associated mortality in nine countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Original research articles and case studies regarding multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi in the Arabian Peninsula, published during the last 10 years, were retrieved from PubMed and Scopus. A total of 382 studies were included as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as the PRISMA guidelines, from a thorough screening of 1705 articles, in order to analyse the emerging status and mortality. The emerging nature of >120 multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and fungi in the Arabian Peninsula is a serious concern that requires continuous monitoring and immediate preventive measures. More than 50% (n = 453) of multidrug-resistant, microbe-associated mortality (n = 871) in the Arabian Peninsula was due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus infection. Overall, a 16.51% mortality was reported among MDR-infected patients in the Arabian Peninsula from the 382 articles of this registered systematic review. MDR A. baumannii (5600 isolates) prevailed in all the nine countries of the Arabian Peninsula and was one of the fastest emerging MDR bacteria with the highest mortality (n = 210). A total of 13,087 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were reported in the region. Candida auris (580 strains) is the most prevalent among the MDR fungal pathogen in the Arabian Peninsula, having caused 54 mortalities. Active surveillance, constant monitoring, the development of a candidate vaccine, an early diagnosis of MDR infection, the elimination of multidrug resistance modulators and uninterrupted preventive measures with enhanced data sharing are mandatory to control MDR infection and associated diseases of the Arabian Peninsula. Accurate and rapid detection methods are needed to differentiate MDR strain from other strains of the species. This review summarises the logical relation, prevalence, emerging status and associated mortality of MDR microbes in the Arabian Peninsula.