Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica isolates from apparently healthy and clinically ill finishing pigs in Spain

This study was the first conducted in Spain to evaluate the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and multi-resistance in Salmonella isolates recovered from finishing pigs from Spanish swine farms distributed over the whole country. For this purpose, 290 Salmonella isolates recovered from apparently healthy finishing pigs in a farm-based cross-sectional study and 192 Salmonella isolates recovered from faecal samples of finishing pigs suffering from diarrhoea were investigated. Resistance to a panel of 17 antimicrobials was determined using a broth microdilution technique. Resistance was a common finding and was detected in 90.3% of the Salmonella isolates from apparently healthy finishing pigs and 95.3% of the Salmonella isolates from clinically diseased finishing pigs. Resistance was particularly high among isolates of serogroup B and serovars Typhimurium and its monophasic variant S. 4,5,12:i:-. Higher frequencies of resistance were found to tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole, streptomycin, spectinomycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Less than 10% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, neomycin, cephalotin, apramycin and gentamicin. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, colistin and ceftiofur was rare (under 1%). Multi-resistance, defined as resistance to four or more drugs, was detected in more than 50% of the isolates. Although multi-resistance was particularly frequent among isolates of S. Typhimurium, it was also high among other serovars as Bredeney and the S. Typhimurium monophasic variant. 4,5,12:i:-.     

Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium isolated from animals in Korea: comparison of phenotypic and genotypic resistance characterization

Fourteen and 22 each of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) were isolated from animals from 1983 to 1999 in Korea and tested for their antibiotic resistance patterns, phage types and resistance gene patterns. S. Typhimurium isolates were highly resistant to streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline, 95, 95 and 86%, respectively. The incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance (resistant to more than two drugs tested) of S. Typhimurium isolates was extremely high (100%) comparing to S. Enteritidis isolates (21%). Two of the five ACSSuT (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline) resistant type S. Typhimurium isolates were phage type definitive type 104 (DT104).For the detection of resistance related genes in S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium isolates, particularly ACSSuT type S. Typhimurium, antibiotic resistance genes, cmlA/tetR, bla(PSE-1) and bla(TEM), and genus Salmonella specific gene, sipB/C, were amplified using four pairs of primers in a hot-start multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two Korean isolates of S. Typhimurium DT104 showed bla(TEM) amplicons instead of bla(PSE-1) for the ampicillin resistance and they were susceptible to florfenicol. The multiplex PCR used in this study was useful in characterization of multiple drug resistant Salmonella isolates, especially ACSSuT type S. Typhimurium, and identification of beta-lactamase gene distribution among Salmonella isolates.     

Antimicrobial resistance of selected Salmonella isolates from food animals and food in Alberta

Salmonella isolates (n = 209) obtained from food animals and foods in Alberta during 1996 through 1999 were tested for sensitivity to 17 antimicrobials. Of the 3553 antimicrobial susceptibility tests on Salmonella isolates, 11.8% were positive for resistance. These isolates were commonly resistant to tetracycline (35.4%), streptomycin (32.5%), sulfamethoxazole (28.7%), ticarcillin (27.3%), and ampicillin (26.8%). Resistance to at least 1 antimicrobial was observed in 112 isolates (53.6%). Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Typhimurium var. Copenhagen, and S. Heidelberg were the most common serovars among isolates resistant to individual antimicrobials and multiple antimicrobials. The most common profile of multiple-antimicrobial resistance was that which included resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and ticarcillin. The proportions of isolates that were resistant to antimicrobials were greater among bovine isolates of Salmonella than among poultry isolates, and this difference was greater among isolates from veterinary diagnostic sources than among those from monitoring sources.     

Serovars of Salmonella isolated from Danish turkeys between 1995 and 2000 and their antimicrobial resistance

The prevalence of Salmonella serovars and their antimicrobial resistance patterns were investigated among Danish turkeys between 1995 and 2000, by sampling the flocks approximately 14 days before they were slaughtered. Within the flocks, the prevalence of salmonella varied from 7.1 per cent to 25 per cent, and 24 different serovars were detected. The five most prevalent, which accounted for 58.5 per cent of the isolates were Salmonella Heidelberg (16.2 per cent of the isolates), Salmonella Agona (15.8 per cent), Salmonella Derby (12.4 per cent), Salmonella Muenster (7.3 per cent) and Salmonella Anatum (6.8 per cent). In addition, a few rough isolates and isolates belonging to the antigenically incomplete formulae 6,7:-:- and 4,12:b:- were found. The level of antimicrobial resistance was low; the highest resistance was recorded to ampicillin (13.7 per cent) and streptomycin (9.0 per cent) followed by tetracycline (8.5 per cent), sulphonamides (7.7 per cent) and spectinomycin (4.7 per cent). Resistance to quinolones was very low: four isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, and only one was resistant to enrofloxacin. No resistance was recorded to colistin, apramycin, ceftiofur, florfenicol, or amoxycillin with clavulanic acid. Only 24 isolates were resistant to two or more compounds in various combinations of up to six compounds; one Salmonella Havana isolate was resistant to six compounds. Six isolates were serovar Typhimurium, but none of them belonged to phage type DT104.     

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella serotypes isolated from apparently healthy slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia

A total of 714 samples consisting of faeces, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles (each 119) were collected from November 2001 to April 2002 from apparently healthy slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia. One hundred sixteen (16.2%) Salmonella strains belonging to 16 different serovars were isolated. All Salmonella strains isolated were examined for antimicrobial resistance to 17 selected antimicrobials. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by the microdilution broth test. Fifty-two (44.8%) of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials. Thirty-nine of the 52 (75%) resistant Salmonella serovars exhibited multiple resistance to up to eight different antimicrobials. Among the serovars tested, S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, S. Braenderup and S. Hadar displayed multiple resistance mainly to streptomycin (35.3%), spectinomycin (28.4%), sulfamethoxazole (25.0%), ampicillin (24.1%), trimethoprim (22.4%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (18.9%), tetracycline (12.9%) and colistin (11.2%). All Salmonella strains tested were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, kanamycin and neomycin. The present study showed the importance of camels as a potential source of single and multiple resistant Salmonella strains to different antimicrobials that are also used in the public health sector for the treatment of different bacterial diseases in Ethiopia.     

A temporal study of Salmonella serovars in animals in Alberta between 1990 and 2001

Passive laboratory-based surveillance data from Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development were analyzed for common Salmonella serovars, prevalences, trends, and for the presence of temporal clusters. There were 1767 isolates between October 1990 and December 2001 comprising 63 different serovars, including 961 isolates from chickens, 418 from cattle, 108 from pigs, 102 from turkeys, and 178 from all other species combined. Salmonella Typhimurium, Heidelberg, Hadar, Kentucky, and Thompson were the 5 most frequently isolated serovars. Approximately 60% of the S. Typhimurium were isolated from cattle, whereas over 90% of the S. Heidelberg, Hadar, Kentucky, and Thompson were isolated from chickens. Salmonella Enteritidis was rarely isolated. There was an increasing trend in isolates from chickens, cattle, and pigs, and a decreasing trend in isolates from turkeys. Temporal clusters were observed in 11 of 15 serovars examined in chickens (S. Anatum, Heidelberg, Infantis, Kentucky, Mbandaka, Montevideo, Nienstedten, Oranienburg, Thompson, Typhimurium, and Typhimurium var. Copenhagen), 5 of 5 serovars in cattle (S. Dublin, Montevideo, Muenster, Typhimurium, and Typhimurium var. Copenhagen), and 1 of 3 serovars in pigs (S. Typhimurium). Short-duration clusters may imply point source infections, whereas long-duration clusters may indicate an increase in the prevalence of the serovar, farm-to-farm transmission, or a wide-spread common source. A higher concentration of clusters in the winter months may reflect greater confinement, reduced ventilation, stressors, or increased exposure to wildlife vectors that are sharing housing during the winter. Detection of large clusters of Salmonella may have public health implications in addition to animal health concerns.     

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Salmonella enterica in Captive Wildlife and Exotic Animal Species in Ohio,USA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, phenotypic and genotypic relatedness of Salmonella enterica recovered from captive wildlife host species and in the environment in Ohio, USA. A total of 319 samples including faecal (n = 225), feed (n = 38) and environmental (n = 56) were collected from 32 different wild and exotic animal species in captivity and their environment in Ohio. Salmonellae were isolated using conventional culture methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility with the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Salmonella isolates were serotyped, and genotyping was performed using the pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Salmonella was detected in 56 of 225 (24.9%) faecal samples; six of 56 (10.7%) environmental samples and six of 38 (15.8%) feed samples. Salmonella was more commonly isolated in faecal samples from giraffes (78.2%; 36/46), cranes (75%; 3/4) and raccoons (75%; 3/4). Salmonella enterica serotypes of known public health significance including S. Typhimurium (64.3%), S. Newport (32.1%) and S. Heidelberg (5.3%) were identified. While the majority of the Salmonella isolates were pan‐susceptible (88.2%; 60 of 68), multidrug‐resistant strains including penta‐resistant type, AmStTeKmGm (8.8%; six of 68) were detected. Genotypic diversity was found among S. Typhimurium isolates. The identification of clonally related Salmonella isolates from environment and faeces suggests that indirect transmission of Salmonella among hosts via environmental contamination is an important concern to workers, visitors and other wildlife. Results of this study show the diversity of Salmonella serovars and public health implications of human exposure from wildlife reservoirs.     

Assessment of antibiotic resistance phenotype and integrons in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from swine

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) isolated and identified from swine were subjected for the analysis of antibiotic resistance pattern and clinically important class 1 and 2 integrons. In addition, S. Typhimurium isolates exhibiting ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and florfenicol (ACSSuTF) resistance pattern as described in most Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) were characterized by polymerase chain reaction. All the isolates were resistant to more than four antibiotics and showed the highest resistance to streptomycin (94.1%), followed by tetracycline (90.1%), ampicillin (64.7%), chloramphenicol (56.8%) and gentamicin (54.9%). MIC value for the ten isolates ranged between 0.125-2 mug/ml for ciprofloxacin. Among the beta-lactams used, only one of the isolate exhibited resistance to ceftiofur (MIC 8 microg/ml). Sixty eight percent of these multi drug resistance (MDR) S. Typhimurium isolates carried clinically important class 1 integron with 1kb (aadA) and/or 2kb (dhfrXII-orfF-aadA2) resistance gene cassettes. This study reports the increasing trend of multi drug resistance (MDR) S. Typhimurium with clinically important class 1 integron in pigs. In addition, emergence of the ACSSuTF-type resistance in S. Typhimurium PT other than DT104 may limit the use of resistance gene markers in its detection methods by PCR.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolates recovered from calves with diarrhoea in Australia

OBJECTIVE To identify the common serotypes and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella spp. associated with diarrhoea in Australian dairy calves under the age of 6 weeks. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Faecal samples were collected from outbreaks of diarrhoea in dairy and dairy beef calves less than 6 weeks old. Samples were screened for Salmonella using standard enrichment culture techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility to 12 commonly used veterinary and human antimicrobials was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and the susceptibility profiles of dairy and dairy beef properties were compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Salmonella ser. Dublin, S. ser. Typhimurium and S. ser. Bovismorbificans were the three most common salmonella serotypes isolated. The majority of properties had one serotype. Most of the Salmonella isolates were not resistant to any of the antimicrobials tested. No resistance was seen to amikacin and nalidixic acid, and only one isolate was resistant to ceftiofur or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The most common antimicrobial resistance was to streptomycin, ampicillin or combination sulfonamides. Multi-drug resistance was detected in S. ser. Anatum, S. ser. Bovismorbificans, S. ser. Muenster, S. ser. Newport and S. ser. Typhimurium. Isolates from dairy beef properties were more likely to be resistant to ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and tetracycline (P < 0.05) and were more likely to exhibit multi-drug resistance. CONCLUSION The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates from dairy calves in Australia is low compared with that reported overseas. From a human health perspective, resistance to antimicrobials used in the treatment of human salmonellosis was infrequent.     

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli O157 isolated between 1998 and 2003 in The Netherlands

Little is known about the antibiotic resistance of E. coli O157 in The Netherlands. In this study, 218 human and 247 nonhuman samples, isolated between 1998 and 2003, were tested for antimicrobial resistance. About 5.5% of E. coli O157 isolates from human samples were resistant, as were about 4.00% of E. coli O157 isolates from non-human samples. These figures are lower than those reported in the literature. Class I integrons were found in six multiresistant isolates. This type of integron is also found in commensal E. coli in food animals and Salmonella spp. One of the integron-positive isolates contained the beta-lactamase bla(TEM-1b) and an extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), which belongs to the group 2 CTX-M enzymes. This is the first report of these beta-lactamases in E. coli O157 isolated from chicken.     

Prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution of serovars of Salmonella on dairy farms in England and Wales

A study of randomly selected dairy farms in England and Wales was made between October 1999 and February 2001 to estimate the prevalence and incidence of Salmonella serovars. The farms were enrolled through five milk-buying companies, which represented 63 per cent of the dairy farms in England and Wales, and they were sampled on up to four occasions (449 farms at visit 1, 272 farms at visit 2, 251 farms at visit 3 and 243 farms at visit 4). In total, 19,296 samples of pooled faecal pats and slurry were collected. The farm-specific prevalence of all serovars of Salmonella ranged from 12.1 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 8.2 to 16.0 per cent) to 24.7 per cent (95 per cent CI 19.4 to 30.1 per cent) at each visit. The most common serovars identified were Salmonella Dublin (3.7 to 6.6 per cent farm-specific prevalence at each visit), Salmonella Agama (1.8 to 7.6 per cent) and Salmonella Typhimurium (2.6 to 4.1 per cent) The prevalence varied by region and month of sampling and increased in late summer. The incidence rate of all serovars of Salmonella was 0.43 (95 per cent CI 0.34 to 0.54) cases per farm-year at risk. There was no significant difference between the incidence rates of the common serovars S Typhimurium (0.07), S Dublin (0.06) and S Agama (0.13). A total of 29 Salmonella serovars were isolated. Few of the isolates were resistant to the 16 antimicrobial agents tested, except the isolates of S Typhimurium dt104, of which 67.9 per cent were resistant to at least five of them.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enterica</Emphasis> serovars isolated from slaughtered cattle in Bahir Dar,Ethiopia

A study was undertaken from October 2006 to March 2007 to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella serovars. Liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal content, and carcass swab samples (each n?=?186) were collected from 186 apparently healthy slaughtered cattle at Bahir Dar abattoir. Bacteriological analysis was done according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 6579 2002). Isolates were serotyped at Agence Française de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Cedex, France. Twenty-eight isolates consisting of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Haifa, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Infantis, and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were identified. Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport were most frequently isolated while Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were isolated least. Eleven of the 28 (39.3%) were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. Resistance was shown to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, norfloxacin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim. Four of 11 (36.4%) were multiple antimicrobial resistant. All the isolates tested were susceptible to the antimicrobial effects of gentamycin, norfloxacin, and trimethoprim. Eleven, four, and two isolates of the 28 were resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin, respectively. All isolates of Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Typhimurium (except one), and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were susceptible to the tested antimicrobials. One Typhimurium isolate was resistant to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Salmonella Haifa was multiply antimicrobial resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and streptomycin. All isolates of Salmonella Heidelberg were resistant to streptomycin. Results of this study indicated high level of carcass contamination with antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella serovars which could pose public health risk; suggests need for hygienic slaughtering operations and proper cooking of meat before consumption. Further detailed studies involving different abattoirs, animal products, food items, and animals on different settings were recommended in the study area.     

Molecular characterization reveals Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- from poultry is a variant Typhimurium serovar

Although Salmonella remains one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses in the United States, the Salmonella enterica serovars and genetic types associated with most infections appear to fluctuate over time. Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:-. Similarly, this unusual Salmonella serovar has been isolated from cattle and poultry in the state of Georgia. We examined the genetic relatedness of Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:-, isolated from several different poultry companies and dairy farms in Georgia, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Several Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- isolates had PFGE patterns identical or similar to PFGE patterns of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from numerous animal sources. We identified distinct PFGE patterns for Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- and matching Salmonella Typhimurium PFGE patterns, identifying four "distinct" strains. We focused a more specific analysis on the poultry Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- and Salmonella Typhimurium isolates and found that of these Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- isolates, 32% lacked the entire phase 2 antigen gene, fljB; 61% contained partial deletion(s); and 4% had partial deletion(s) in fljB and an adjacent gene hin, 5' to fljB. Thirteen percent contained smaller deletions or point mutations not identified by our DNA probes. The Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- isolates were positive for several genes present in the Salmonella Typhimurium, including lpfE (100%), sseI(96%), and spvC (93%). Genetic analysis indicates independent, spontaneous mutations in fljB in at least four distinct Salmonella Typhimurium strains of animal origin circulating in nature.     

Transduction of bla(CMY-2), tet(A), and tet(B) from Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Heidelberg to S. Typhimurium

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp., especially resistance mediated by extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL), is a growing public health concern. Understanding the mechanisms through which Salmomella spp. acquire the resistance genes can lead to the development of intervention and mitigation strategies. Thirty-one Salmonella isolates of bovine origin were analyzed by serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, phage induction and bacterial host range determination, and phage transduction of antimicrobial resistance. The Salmonella isolates consisted of 12 serovars. Resistance to 1 or more antibiotics was detected in 12 isolates. Inducible phages were recovered from 19 Salmonella (61%) by spot lysis assay. Of the 19 phage samples, 13 were able to multiply in 2 or more Salmonella of various serovars. A cross-serovar transduction of antimicrobial resistance was observed from S. Heidelberg to S. Typhimurium. Transfection of an antimicrobial-susceptible strain of S. Typhimurium with a phage propagated in a S. Heidelberg resistant to multiple β-lactam antibiotics and tetracycline resulted in independent acquisition of bla_CMY-2, tet(A), and tet(B). These data indicate that inducible phages are common in Salmonella of bovine origin, many of them demonstrate a broad host range, and wild-type phage mediated transduction may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, including the resistance mediated by ESBL.     

Characteristics of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from horses

The aim of the present study was to contribute to the knowledge on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL's), AmpC beta-lactamases and integrons in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from horses, which is still limited. The susceptibility of 1581 clinical isolates from animals to ceftiofur was tested. Most of these isolates (n=1347) originated from horses. Seven ceftiofur-resistant equine isolates (four Escherichia coli and three Klebsiella pneumoniae) were identified and all seven were multidrug-resistant. These isolates were further studied for the presence of ESBL's, AmpC beta-lactamases and class 1 integrons. The potential for the horizontal transfer of resistance genes among these clinical isolates was also studied. ESBL-type resistance genes were found in five isolates, AmpC-type genes in one isolates and integrons in six isolates. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the isolates carried the bla(CTX-M-1), bla(CMY-2), bla(TEM-1) and/or bla(SHV-1) genes. This is the first report describing the in vitro conjugal transfer of the bla(CTX-M-1) genes from a clinical E. coli isolate to Salmonella isolates. Gene cassettes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides (aadA1, aadA2 and aadA5), and trimethoprim (dfrA1, drfA12 and dfrA17) were found on the integrons present in the isolates. The cassette arrays of the dfrA17-aadA5 and dfrA1-aadA1 genes in the two integrons of a single E. coli isolate have not yet been described before. To our knowledge this is the first report on ESBL's and AmpC beta-lactamases in equine E. coli and Klebsiella isolates.     

Sero types, phage types and antibiotic susceptibilities of Salmonella strains isolated from horses in The Netherlands from 1993 to 2000

We studied 232 Salmonella strains from horses with salmonellosis in The Netherlands, isolated in the period from 1993 to 2000 in order to provide insight in the dynamics of sero-, phage types (pt) and antibiotic susceptibilities over time. The strains were tested for susceptibility to seven antimicrobial agents using the agar diffusion method. In addition, the isolates were sero typed and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica Typhimurium and Enteritidis strains were further phage typed. S. Typhimurium strains of phage type 506 and 401 (both classified as DT 104 in the English phage typing system) were additionally tested for their susceptibility to chloramphenicol (C), streptomycin (S) and sulfonamides (Su). Resistance was common against tetracycline and ampicillin. Most strains were susceptible to enrofloxacin (Enr) and ceftiofur (Cef). Resistance to tetracycline (T), kanamycin (K), ampicillin (A) and trimethoprim/sulfonamide (Sxt) combinations decreased from 1993 to 2000, whereas the resistance to gentamicin (G), ceftiofur and enrofloxacin was stable over time. S. Typhimurium was the predominant serovar and showed more (multiple) resistance compared to other Salmonella serovars. Sixteen different resistance patterns were found, with resistance to T alone and the combination of ACSSuT and AKSxtT being the most common. The multiresistant S. typhimurium phage type 506 (DT 104) was the most common phage type isolated from horses and most of these strains showed the pentadrug resistance pattern ACSSuT. The S. Typhimurium phage type 401 (DT 104) was also found frequently with an ASSuT resistance pattern. The most common S. Typhimurium phage types in horses corresponded with those found in humans, pigs and cattle in the same period in The Netherlands.     

Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates from apparently healthy food-producing animal from 2000 to 2003: the first stage of Japanese veterinary antimicrobial resistance monitoring (JVARM)

Antimicrobial susceptibility of 183 Salmonella isolates from apparently healthy food-producing animals obtained during the period from 2000 to 2003 throughout Japan was examined. Of 29 serovars identified, Salmonella Infantis (37.7%) was the most prevalent, followed by S. Typhimurium (19.7%). Salmonella bacteria resistant to dihydrostreptomycin (77.6%) were about 10% more prevalent than those resistant to oxytetracycline (67.8%), though the nation-level veterinary use of tetracycline antibiotics is much greater than that of streptomycin in Japan. In seventeen isolates (9.3%) resistant to nalidixic acid, single point mutations were detected at 84 or 87 in the quinolone resistance-determining region of the gyrA gene.     

Characterization of Salmonella spp. isolated from an integrated broiler chicken operation in Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological and genetic characterization of persistent Salmonella isolates in an integrated broiler chicken operation, in an attempt to elucidate the source of contamination. From the breeder farm, the hatchery, the broiler farm and the chicken slaughter house of an integrated broiler chicken operation, a total of 6 serotypes were observed. Although S. Heidelberg was not detected in the broiler farm, it was consistently found in the breeder farm, the hatchery and the chicken slaughter house. Also, S. Enteritidis and S. Senftenberg were found in the hatchery and the chicken slaughter house, and the hatchery and the broiler farm, respectively. S. Gallinarum and S. Blockley were found only in the broiler farm, and S. Virchow was only recovered in the chicken slaughter house. Isolated S. Heidelberg, S. Enteritidis and S. Senftenberg strains were divided into 3, 5 and 7 types, respectively, on the basis of all properties. Especially, S. Senftenberg isolates, divided into four types by their antimicrobial resistance patterns, were all obviously the XbaI PFGE pattern. Also, four S. Enteritidis isolates resistant to nalidixic acid showed a difference in phage type and PFGE pattern. Such a different pattern was shown despite Salmonella isolates originating from an integrated broiler operation, suggesting that further epidemiological studies on many integrated chicken companies in Korea are needed.     

Molecular epidemiology of Salmonella Heidelberg in an equine hospital

From 1992 to 1997, multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella Heidelberg isolates were cultured from a number of horses hospitalised in a veterinary hospital in Victoria, Australia. To examine the relationships between the cases, 28 isolates from the hospital were compared by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), IS200 element profiles, antimicrobial resistance patterns, plasmid profiles and phage typing. The PFGE patterns following digestion with XbaI and BlnI restriction endonucleases showed that the isolates from the veterinary hospital originated from a common source. These isolates also had indistinguishable IS200 profiles. However, PFGE was more discriminatory than IS200 profiles. All the veterinary hospital isolates and one independent isolate had the same antimicrobial resistance pattern and had at least one plasmid in common. Localisation of antimicrobial resistance genes indicated that the veterinary hospital isolates had more than one plasmid carrying resistance genes and that the genes encoding sulphathiazole and trimethoprim resistance were not on these plasmids. Phage typing was ineffective as 22 of the 28 isolates were untypeable. In conclusion, the combination of different methods used for epidemiological studies suggested that a single strain of MDR S. Heidelberg was isolated from horses admitted to the hospital for 6 years and caused salmonellosis in susceptible horses within that period with no apparent correlation between the antimicrobials used and retention of its MDR phenotype.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. in non-diarrhoeic dogs in Trinidad

The estimated prevalence and antimicrobial resistances of Salmonella spp. in non-diarrhoeic dogs across Trinidad was determined. The serotypes of Salmonella spp. isolated were also identified. Of a total of 1391 dogs sampled, 50 (3.6%) were positive for Salmonella spp. with 28 different serotypes, the predominant serotypes were Javiana (12), Newport (6), Arechavaleta (5) and Heidelberg (5). Fifty-seven (85.1%) of 67 isolates exhibited resistance to one or more antimicrobial agents. Of eight antimicrobial agents tested, resistance was exhibited to streptomycin (80.6%), cephalothin (37.3%), neomycin (38.8%) and gentamicin (9.0%). All isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, norfloxacin, choramphenicol and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim. It was concluded that the isolation of the Salmonella spp. from non-diarrhoeic dogs could pose health hazard to their owners as most serotypes are known to be virulent. Furthermore, the prevalence of resistance to antimicrobial agents amongst the Salmonella isolates from these animals indicates susceptibility testing may influence chemotherapeutic choices when treating these isolates.