Virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility in Salmonellaenterica serotypes isolated from swine production in Argentina.

Salmonella is a worldwide-distributed pathogen that affects both humans and animals and is usually associated with intensive animal production such as poultry and swine. This bacterium carries different virulence genes, whose expression favors its interaction with the host and may influence the course of the infection. Extended usage of antibiotics for metaphylaxis or prophylaxis and as growth promoters favors the emergence of multiresistant Salmonella strains. The aim of this work was to assess the association between the presence of virulence-associated genes and the antimicrobial resistance phenotype in Salmonella isolates obtained from swine intensive and backyard farms in Argentina during 2012-2018. A total of 59 Salmonella strains belonging to several serotypes were studied. All the strains carried the sopB and ssaQ genes, whereas more than 90% of the isolates carried the mgtC, avrA, and siiD genes. Some isolates also carried the bcfC, sodC1, gipA, sopE1 and spvC genes; however, their presence varied among them. Susceptibility to the antibiotics tested was diverse. Isolates from intensive farms were resistant to a larger number of antimicrobials than those from backyard farms and some of the strains showed high virulence potential and extensive antimicrobial resistance profiles. Continuous surveillance is essential to detect the emergence of strains that may represent a significant risk not only for animal production but also for the human population.