Open AccessSequence analysis of Salmonella enterica isolates obtained from shelter dogs throughout Texas
Author(s) -
Cummings Kevin J.,
Mitchell Patrick K.,
RodriguezRivera Lorraine D.,
Goodman Laura B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary medicine and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 2053-1095
DOI - 10.1002/vms3.320
Subject(s) - salmonella , salmonella enterica , biology , serotype , microbiology and biotechnology , population , antibiotic resistance , veterinary medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , multilocus sequence typing , virology , genotype , gene , genetics , antibiotics , bacteria , medicine , environmental health , electrical engineering , engineering
Abstract Dogs are a potential source of zoonotic Salmonella transmission. We had previously estimated the prevalence of Salmonella shedding among shelter dogs throughout Texas using a repeated cross‐sectional study design. Our current objectives were to fully characterize the Salmonella isolates and to assess their relatedness, using whole‐genome sequencing. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were detected in 4/27 (15%) of the isolates. The fosfomycin resistance gene fosA7 was identified in two isolates; to our knowledge, there are no published reports of this gene in canine Salmonella isolates. The biocide resistance gene qacEdelta1 , conferring resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds, was detected in an isolate that had four additional AMR genes. The most frequently identified serotypes were Newport (6/27, 22%) and Javiana (4/27, 15%), both of which were widespread among animal shelters. For these serotypes, there was evidence of both transmission of Salmonella within the shelter environment and separate introductions of Salmonella into a shelter. Several canine Salmonella isolates were closely related to human clinical isolates (four canine isolates within 10 SNPs and six more within 20 SNPs), suggesting a shared pathogen population. Educational outreach programmes targeting animal shelter workers would be useful for optimizing knowledge of Salmonella and other canine‐associated zoonotic pathogens.