Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Salmonella enterica Serovars Isolated from Chicken at Wet Markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Virulent and multi drug resistant (MDR) <i>Salmonella</i><i>enterica</i> is a foremost cause of foodborne diseases and had serious public health concern globally. The present study was undertaken to identify the pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of <i>Salmonella</i><i>enterica</i> serovars recovered from chicken at wet markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 870 cecal contents of broiler, sonali, and native chickens were collected from 29 wet markets. The overall prevalence of <i>S.</i> Typhimurium, <i>S.</i> Enteritidis, and untyped <i>Salmonella</i> spp., were found to be 3.67%, 0.57%, and 1.95% respectively. All isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for eight virulence genes, namely <i>inv</i>A, <i>agf</i>A, <i>Ipf</i>A, <i>hil</i>A, <i>siv</i>H, <i>sef</i>A, <i>sop</i>E, and <i>spv</i>C. <i>S</i>. Enteritidis isolates carried all virulence genes whilst <i>S</i>. Typhimurium isolates carried six virulence genes except <i>sef</i>A and <i>spv</i>C. A diverse phenotypic and genotypic AMR pattern was found. Harmonic descending trends of resistance patterns were observed among the broiler, sonali, and native chickens. Interestingly, virulent and MDR <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovars were found in native chicken, although antimicrobials were not used in their production cycle. The research findings anticipate that virulent and MDR <i>Salmonella enterica</i> are roaming in the wet markets which can easily anchor to the vendor, consumers, and in the food chain.