Analysis of Salmonella enterica Isolated from a Mixed-Use Watershed in Georgia, USA: Antimicrobial Resistance, Serotype Diversity, and Genetic Relatedness to Human Isolates
Sohyun Cho, Lari M. Hiott, Sandra L. House, Tiffanie A. Woodley, Elizabeth A. McMillan, Poonam Sharma, John B. Barrett, Eric S. Adams, Joshua Brandenburg, Kelley Hise, Jacob M. Bateman McDonald, Elizabeth A. Ottesen, Erin K. Lipp, Charlene R. Jackson, Jonathan G. Frye
Abstract
Salmonella has been traditionally considered a foodborne pathogen, as it is one of the most common etiologies of foodborne illnesses worldwide; however, recent Salmonella outbreaks attributed to fresh produce and water suggest a potential environmental source of Salmonella that causes some human illnesses. Here, we investigated the prevalence, diversity, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from a mixed-use watershed in Georgia, USA, in order to enhance the overall understanding of waterborne Salmonella. The persistence and widespread distribution of Salmonella in surface water confirm environmental sources of the pathogen. A high proportion of waterborne Salmonella with clinically significant serotypes and genetic similarity to strains of human origin supports the role of environmental water as a significant reservoir of Salmonella and indicates a potential waterborne transmission of Salmonella to humans. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant and MDR Salmonella demonstrates additional risks associated with exposure to contaminated environmental water.