Introduction. Salmonella enterica is a significant enteric pathogen affecting human and livestock health. Pork production is a common source of Salmonella contamination, with emerging multidrug resistance (MDR) posing a global health threat. Gap statement. Salmonella contamination and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles in the pig production chain are underreported. Aim. To investigate the prevalence of S. enterica in the pig production chain and characterise their AMR profiles. Methodology. We collected 485 samples from pig farms, a standard pig abattoir and retail markets in Patthalung and Songkhla provinces in southern Thailand. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on these samples, and AMR profiles were determined. Results. S. enterica was detected in 68.67% of farm samples, 45.95% of abattoir samples and 50.67% of retail market samples. Analysis of 264 isolates, representing 18 serotypes, identified S. enterica serotype Rissen as the most prevalent. The predominant resistance phenotypes included ampicillin (AMP, 91.29%), tetracycline (TET, 88.26%) and streptomycin (STR, 84.47%). Over 80% of isolates showed resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes, indicating MDR. The AMP–STR–TET resistance pattern was found in nearly 70% of all MDR isolates across the production chain. Conclusions. The high prevalence of MDR is consistent with extensive antimicrobial use in the livestock sector. The presence of extensively resistant S. enterica highlights the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship. Strengthening preventive strategies and control measures is crucial to mitigate the risk of MDR Salmonella spreading from farm to fork.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the pathogenic E. coli causing disease in humans via the consumption or handling of animal food products. The high prevalence of these organisms in ruminants has been widely reported. Among STECs, O157 is one of the most lethal serotypes causing serious disease in humans. The present study investigated the prevalence of sorbitol non-fermenting STECs in goats reared in the lower region of southern Thailand and described the virulent factors carried by those isolates. Sorbitol non-fermenting (SNF)-STECs were found in 57 out of 646 goats (8.82%; 95% CI 6.75% to 11.28%). Molecular identification revealed that 0.77% of SNF-STEC isolates were the O157 serotype. Shiga toxin genes (stx₁ and stx₂) and other virulent genes (i.e., eaeA, ehxA, and saa) were detected by molecular techniques. The presence of stx₁ (75.44%) was significantly higher than that of stx₂ (22.81%), whereas 1.75% of the total isolates carried both stx₁ and stx₂. Most of the isolates carried ehxA for 75.44%, followed by saa (42.11%) and eaeA (12.28%). In addition, 21.05% of STEC isolates did not carry any eaeA, ehxA, or saa. The first investigation on SNF-STECs in goat was conducted in the lower region of southern Thailand. The present study revealed that goats could be one of the potential carriers of SNF-STECs in the observing area.

Foodborne illness is a significant public health concern worldwide. Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli and Campylobacter species are recognized as important zoonotic bacterial pathogens contributing to human infections through the food chain, particularly via foods of animal origin. Although goat meat is in high demand in the southern region of Thailand, studies on foodborne pathogens in this livestock species remain limited. The current study aimed to (i) determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. and STEC isolated from goats, and (ii) analyze the genetic relationships among Campylobacter spp. And E. coli O157 isolates obtained from different sources. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates were characterized based on sequences of seven housekeeping genes using the Achtman multilocus sequence typing scheme. For E. coli O157:H7, core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis was performed using whole-genome sequencing data. Genetic diversity was observed among C. jejuni , whereas a clonal population structure was detected in C. coli and E. coli O157:H7. Overlapping genetic characteristics were observed between C. jejuni isolates from goats and those previously reported in livestock and humans in Thailand. Among Campylobacter species, resistance to fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, was observed, whereas resistance to fosfomycin was most frequently detected in Shiga toxin–producing E. coli . Tetracycline-resistant isolates were identified in both Campylobacter species and Shiga toxin–producing E. coli at moderate levels. A multidrug-resistant pattern was observed only in C. coli , whereas no multidrug-resistant C. jejuni or Shiga toxin–producing E. coli isolates were detected. These findings indicate that healthy goats may serve as potential reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in southern Thailand, where goat meat is frequently consumed.