Salmonella in Malaysia: Outbreaks, contamination sources, serovar distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, with the ability to contaminate a wide range of sources. The identification of the frequently contaminated sources is vital for improving the management of Salmonella infections and outbreaks. As there is growing concern on bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents globally, it is crucial to monitor the resistance of Salmonella to antimicrobial agents for effective treatment of salmonellosis and prudent use of antibiotics. The epidemiology of Salmonella, including outbreak patterns, serovars prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles, could differ by region. Therefore, assessing the local status of Salmonella is crucial for implementing targeted interventions. This review provides an overview of foodborne disease and Salmonella-related outbreaks in Malaysia, focusing on Salmonella's sources of isolation, serovars and antimicrobial resistance patterns. In Malaysia, food poisoning outbreaks remain a recurring public health issue, and Salmonella is one of the main causative agents with fatal cases. However, the true burden of salmonellosis is difficult to determine as data on non-typhoidal salmonellosis are lacking. Salmonella was detected in both human and non-human samples, with S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis being the most common serovars. Salmonella isolates in Malaysia exhibited a wide range of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, with notably high resistance to erythromycin and penicillin. The review highlights the need for continuous surveillance of Salmonella infections, encompassing both typhoidal and non-typhoidal salmonellosis, as well as systematic monitoring of contamination sources and antimicrobial resistance patterns to improve understanding and ensure effective management of salmonellosis in Malaysia.