Genetic outlook of Salmonella enterica recovered from poultry and associated environment

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a growing public health concern worldwide, and it is now regarded as a critical One Health issue. The persistence and spread of resistant microbial species, and the association of determinants at the human-animal-environment interface can alter microbial genomes, resulting in resistant superbugs like Salmonella in various niches. The species Salmonella enterica comprises over 2,600 serovars, many of which are known to be intracellular pathogens of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is now apparent that Salmonella is a highly adapted environmental microbe and can readily persist in a number of environmental niches, including water, soil, and various plant species. Much of what is known about the evolution and diversity of nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars (NTS) in the environment is the result of the rise of the genomics era in enteric microbiology. Present study is designed to study the genetic outlook of Salmonella enterica isolated from poultry, poultry farms, premises and associated environment. Samples will be collected from various sources including poultry and associated environment through convenient sampling technique. Isolation and identification of S. enterica will be done through conventional and molecular tools. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of the isolates will be done through disc diffusion assay, while minimum inhibitory concentration will be estimated through broth microdilution method according to the CLSI 2022 guidelines. Various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence associated genes (VAGs) will be identified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. Subsequently, sequence analysis will be performed to study the genetic diversity among the isolates. Appropriate statistical tools will be employed to study the obtained data from the study. The proposed study would be hallmark towards the surveillance of S. enterica among environmental niches associated with poultry that ultimately may be considered to control the dissemination of this superbug from contaminated environment to the community.