| Abstract: | Salmonella is the most common etiological agent of
cases and outbreaks of foodborne diarrheal illnesses. The emergence and spread
of Salmonella spp., which has become multi-drug resistant and
potentially more pathogenic, have increased the concern with this pathogen. In
this study, 237 Salmonella spp., associated or not with
foodborne salmonellosis in Brazil, belonging mainly to serotype Enteritidis,
were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of the virulence
genes spvC, invA, sefA and
pefA. Of the isolates, 46.8% were sensitive to all
antimicrobials and 51.9% were resistant to at least one antimicrobial
agent. Resistance to more than one antimicrobial agent was observed in
10.5% of the strains. The highest rates of resistance were observed for
streptomycin (35.9%) and nalidixic acid (16.9%).
No strain was resistant to cefoxitin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, amikacin,
ciprofloxacin and imipenem. The invA gene was detected in all
strains. Genes spvC and pefA were found in
48.1% and 44.3% of strains, respectively. The gene
sefA was detected in 31.6% of the strains and only
among S. Enteritidis. Resistance and virulence determinants
were detected in Salmonella strains belonging to several
serotypes. The high rates of antibiotic-resistance in strains isolated from
poultry products demonstrate the potential risk associated with the consumption
of these products and the need to ensure good food hygiene practices from farm
to table to reduce the spread of pathogens relevant to public health. |
