Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Rarely Isolated Salmonella Serotypes from Poultry in Turkey

This study investigated five strains of each serotype of Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Hindmarsh, Salmonella Kouka, Salmonella Muenchen, Salmonella Ottmarchen, Salmonella Saintpaul and Salmonella II, isolated during the 2014-2017 period. Disc diffusion was used to identify the phenotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance to 12 antimicrobials while the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was detected by PCR. The most sensitive serotype was S. Kouka while the most resistant serotypes were S. Agona and S. Heidelberg. MDR was detected most frequently in S. Agona strains, followed by S. Saintpaul, S. Hindmarsch, and S. Ottmarchen. The samples were most susceptible to chloramphenicol and ceftazidime and most resistant to sulfonamide. The resistance genes were detected in phenotypically resistant strains. Among the tetracycline-resistant strains, tet (A) was the most prevalent gene. The results of this study highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance profiles and related genes, which can spread to form MDR bacteria. Salmonella spp., which significantly contribute to ARG dissemination, should be monitored constantly to protect the closely related health of humans, animals, and the environment. The level of antibiotic resistance observed in this study, even in rarely isolated Salmonella serotypes, also indicates the need for careful and selective use of antibiotics.