Abstract
Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) strains are Gram negative bacterial pathogens that are associated with foodborne illness worldwide. During the process of infection, Salmonella uses two molecular injectisomes known as Type 3 Secretion Systems (T3SS) to secrete virulence factors that are encoded by Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-1 (SPI-1) and SPI-2 into host cells. These secretion systems play a major role in virulence, as shown in various animal models, but little is known about their role in human infections. In Saudi Arabia, NTS strains frequently cause human infections but data regarding these pathogenic strains is fairly limited. The aim of this study was to characterize Salmonella human clinical isolates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by determining their serotype, testing for the presence of SPI-1 and SPI-2 genes and to determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of these strains. Using the rapid Check and Trace Salmonella™ (CTS) system our results demonstrate that S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were the predominant serovars, followed by S. Livingstone, S. Kentucky and S. Poona among a list of 36 serovars reported for the first time in the country. In addition, SPI-1 genes were detected in 99% of the isolates, while the sifA gene (SPI-2) was not detected in 13.5% of the isolates. These results suggest that both the SPI-1 and SPI-2 virulence determinants are important for human infection. Moreover, we report the presence of a Multi-Drug (MDR) carbapenem resistant S. Kentucky isolate harboring the blaOXA−48 gene not reported previously in Saudi Arabia.
Highlights
Salmonella enterica is a Gram negative facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that is capable of causing disease in a variety of hosts
Rapid identification of Salmonella species associated with human infections is a critical component of a Salmonella control program since this allows for epidemiological investigations that can assist in determining the source of the infections (Ferrato et al, 2017)
The aim of the present study was to serotype Salmonella species associated with human infections in Saudi Arabia using a rapid method (CTS system) and to characterize the clinical isolates by testing for the presence of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-1 (SPI-1) and SPI-2 virulence determinants as well as determining antimicrobial resistance patterns
Summary
Salmonella enterica is a Gram negative facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that is capable of causing disease in a variety of hosts. According to the CDC, NTS species are the second leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S which is estimated at 1.2 million annual cases of Salmonellosis. This results in 19,336 hospitalizations, 17,000 quality adjusted life years lost and USD $3.3 billion in total medical expenditures and lost productivity annually (Cummings et al, 2012). In Saudi Arabia very little is known about the prevalence of Salmonella serovars or their virulence properties associated with human infection. This information is vital for determining the source of these infections in order to develop intervention strategies aimed at reducing the levels of Salmonella species across the country (Gast, 2007). NTS human infections translate into a significant impact on both the healthcare system and the economy of a given country (Ghunaim and Desin, 2015)
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