Holistic Strategies to Control Salmonella Infantis: An Emerging Challenge in the European Broiler Sector

Abstract

<i>Salmonella</i> spp. has been globally recognized as one of the leading causes of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis resulting from the consumption of animal-derived products. <i>Salmonella</i> Enteritidis, <i>S.</i> Typhimurium, and its monophasic variant are the main serovars responsible for human disease. However, a serovar known as <i>S</i>. Infantis has emerged as the fourth most prevalent serovar associated with human disease. A total of 95% of isolated <i>S</i>. Infantis serovars originate from broilers and their derived products. This serovar is strongly associated with an elevated antimicrobial (AMR) and multidrug resistance, a resistance to disinfectants, an increased tolerance to environmental mercury, a heightened virulence, and an enhanced ability to form biofilms and attach to host cells. Furthermore, this serovar harbors genes that confer resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic in human medicine, and it has the potential to acquire additional transferable AMR against other critically important antimicrobials, posing a new and significant challenge to global public health. This review provides an overview of the current status of the <i>S</i>. Infantis serovar in the poultry sector, focusing on its key virulence factors, including its virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation. Additionally, novel holistic strategies for controlling <i>S.</i> Infantis along the entire food chain are presented in this review.