Abstract
Simple SummaryWe investigated the pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance and multilocus sequence types of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from fresh chicken meat, ready-to-eat chicken meat as well as from cloacal swabs of live chickens in some selected locations within the central region of peninsular Malaysia. After culture and serotype confirmation of the Salmonella isolates, the genomic DNA was extracted and whole-genome sequencing was conducted using the NextSeq 550 System (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). In silico serotypes were determined with the aid of SeqSero WGS in silico software version 2, while multilocus sequence types, as well as virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants, were all determined using the BioEasy Epinod pipeline. The S. Enteritidis isolates were found to harbour several virulence genes, with multidrug-resistance characteristics. The results of this investigation indicate the potential risks both humans and livestock are exposed to due to this foodborne pathogen.This study was undertaken to determine the virulence, antimicrobial resistance and molecular subtypes of Salmonella in the Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 45 Salmonella Enteritidis were detected from live chicken (cloacal swab), and chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples upon cultural isolation and serotyping. Similarly, an antimicrobial susceptibility test based on the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method as well as antimicrobial resistance AMR genes, virulence determinants and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) typing were conducted after the Whole Genome Sequencing and analysis of the isolates. The results indicate that sequence types ST1925 (63.7%), and ST11 (26.5%) were the predominant out of the seven sequence types identified (ST292, ST329, ST365, ST423 and ST2132). The phenotypic antimicrobial profile corresponds to the genotypic characterization in that the majority of the isolates that exhibited tetracycline, gentamycin and aminoglycoside resistance; they also possessed the tetC and blaTEM β-Lactam resistance genes. However, isolates from cloacal swabs showed the highest number of resistance genes compared to the chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples. Furthermore, most of the virulence genes were found to cluster in the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI). In this study, all the isolates were found to possess SPI-1, which codes for the type III secretion system, which functions as actin-binding proteins (SptP and SopE). The virulence plasmid (VP) genes (spvB, spvC) were present in all genotypes except ST365. The findings of this study, particularly with regard to the molecular subtypes and AMR profiles of the Salmonella Enteritidis serotype shows multidrug-resistance features as well as genetic characteristics indicative of high pathogenicity.
Highlights
The Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAp-AMR 2017–2021) was established to aggressively address the threat posed by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens in the country
The isolates used in this study were obtained from stock cultures from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Food Safety and Quality Division laboratories, Ministry of Health
They were isolated from faecal swabs, and fresh/ready-to-eat chicken meats samples collected from April 2016 to November 2018, as part of the Salmonella collections for the National AMR surveillance program
Summary
The Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAp-AMR 2017–2021) was established to aggressively address the threat posed by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens in the country. Among their activities was to study strains from human infections, food-producing animals, and raw retail meats and aquaculture [1]. The MyAp-AMR program is aimed at controlling the emergence and further spread of AMR, by educating the relevant stakeholders in the health industry the healthcare administrators, and the livestock and aquaculture subsector on the dangers and public health importance of AMR [1]. Among the priority pathogens are Salmonella, Campylobacter, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus, among a host of other important foodborne pathogens [1]. The program integrated the National Surveillance and a “One Health”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
