Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance and Its Diagnostic Techniques in Nontyphoidal Salmonella Infections

Abstract

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the decreased sensitivity of microbes to drugs that are capable of causing cell death or inhibition of growth. It is one of the key issues linked with foodborne infections caused by various resistant pathogenic microorganisms. Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is one of the leading causes of food-borne infections in which its serotypes are usually zoonotic. The source of this resistance is classified as natural and acquired and the mechanism of AMR emergence in NTS can also be divided into two broad categories: biochemical and genetic mechanisms. The biochemical mechanisms are enzymatic inactivation, antimicrobial permeability reduction, active efflux pumps, and others; while the genetics mechanisms include mutation and horizontal and vertical resistant gene transfer. The techniques of AMR diagnosis are conducted by conventional and non-conventional methods. The utilization of antimicrobials for growth promotion, prophylaxis and its misuse in humans or animals, and contamination of the environment are some of the factors that attribute to AMR development. NTS infection is common throughout the world including Ethiopia and developed resistance to different antimicrobials, and the mechanism of AMR development and its diagnosis is not common in the developing countries including our country. The mechanisms by which NTS develop resistance to antimicrobials should be known very well and its dissemination to human, animals, and the environment could be managed, and methods for the diagnosis of AMR in NTS species should be available for the identification of resistant antimicrobials to give proper treatments and other measures. Additionally, proper policies and regulation systems on antimicrobial use and its distribution should be developed and implemented properly.