Salmonellosis is globally recognized as one of the leading causes of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis resulting from the consumption of animal-derived products, particularly those derived from the poultry and pig industry. Salmonella spp. is generally associated with self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms, lasting between 2 and 7 days, which can vary from mild to severe. The bacteria can also spread in the bloodstream, causing sepsis and requiring effective antimicrobial therapy; however, sepsis rarely occurs. Salmonellosis control strategies are based on two fundamental aspects: (a) the reduction of prevalence levels in animals by means of health, biosecurity, or food strategies and (b) protection against infection in humans. At the food chain level, the prevention of salmonellosis requires a comprehensive approach at farm, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer levels. Proper handling of food, avoiding cross-contamination, and thorough cooking can reduce the risk and ensure the safety of food. Efforts to reduce transmission of Salmonella by food and other routes must be implemented using a One Health approach. Therefore, in this review we provide an update on Salmonella, one of the main zoonotic pathogens, emphasizing its relationship with animal and public health. We carry out a review on different topics about Salmonella and salmonellosis, with a special emphasis on epidemiology and public health, microbial behavior along the food chain, predictive microbiology principles, antimicrobial resistance, and control strategies.

Stray cats may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria, representing a potential public health concern within a One Health framework. This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), multidrug resistance (MDR), and virulence-associated traits in commensal Escherichia coli isolated from free-living cat colonies in southern Spain. A total of 169 rectal swabs were collected from cats belonging to feline colonies and shelters in Benalmádena (Málaga, Spain). Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using selective culture media, conventional biochemical tests, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against 15 antimicrobial agents, and isolates were screened for selected virulence-associated genes associated with major diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes. A total of 68 E. coli isolates (40.2%) were recovered. The highest resistance frequencies were observed for sulfamethoxazole (25.0%) and ampicillin (20.6%), whereas all isolates showed high susceptibility rates to most of the antimicrobials tested, including azithromycin (100%), as well as gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, meropenem, colistin, chloramphenicol and tigecycline (98.5%). Six isolates (8.8%) were classified as multidrug-resistant. In addition, six isolates (8.8%) were identified as atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC), although none exhibited a multidrug resistance phenotype. These findings demonstrate the presence of both AMR and virulence-associated traits among commensal E. coli circulating in free-living cats. The inclusion of feline colonies or shelters in AMR surveillance programmes may contribute valuable information for integrated One Health monitoring strategies.

Stray cats act as reservoirs of pathogens and resistance genes, representing a risk to public health, especially in urban and peri-urban areas due to their mobility and, in some cases, the lack of sanitary control. One of the most relevant zoonotic agents is Escherichia coli, a pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals that causes infection/disease and can be transmitted from one species to another. We investigated a total of 169 rectal swabs from feline colonies in the municipality of Benalmadena (province of Málaga, south Spain). The microbiological identification process included bacterial isolation on selective media (XLD), standard biochemical tests and the MALDI-TOF identification system. A total of 68 E. coli strains were thus confirmed (40.23%). Subsequently, an antimicrobial resistance analysis was carried out using automatized methods (Sensititre); each isolate was evaluated by MIC against 15 antimicrobial agents. E. coli strains showed a high percentage of sensitivity. The most relevant finding was the resistance of the strains to azithromycin (100%), as well as a moderate resistance to sulfonamides (25%) and ampicillin (20.6%). The percentage of multidrug resistance (MDR) was found in 13.23% of the strains studied. In relation to the rest of the antimicrobials evaluated, the strains presented high percentages of sensitivity. It can be concluded that our research represents the first confirmation of commensal Escherichia coli in stray cats in Spain indicating a moderate-high prevalence as well as a low MDR levels. The control of the health status of these animals under a One Health approach is necessary due to their direct impact on public health.

Stray cats may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria, representing a potential public health concern within a One Health framework. This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), multidrug resistance (MDR), and virulence-associated traits in commensal Escherichia coli isolated from free-living cat colonies in southern Spain. A total of 169 rectal swabs were collected from cats belonging to feline colonies and shelters in Benalmádena (Málaga, Spain). Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using selective culture media, conventional biochemical tests, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against 15 antimicrobial agents, and isolates were screened for selected virulence-associated genes associated with major diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes. A total of 68 E. coli isolates (40.2%) were recovered. The highest resistance frequencies were observed for sulfamethoxazole (25.0%) and ampicillin (20.6%), whereas all isolates showed high susceptibility rates to most of the antimicrobials tested, including azithromycin (100%), as well as gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, meropenem, colistin, chloramphenicol and tigecycline (98.5%). Six isolates (8.8%) were classified as multidrug-resistant. In addition, six isolates (8.8%) were identified as atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC), although none exhibited a multidrug resistance phenotype. These findings demonstrate the presence of both antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated traits among commensal E. coli circulating in free-living cats. The inclusion of feline colonies or shelters in antimicrobial resistance surveillance programmes may contribute valuable information for integrated One Health monitoring strategies.