Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella Species Isolated from Retail Beef in Selected KwaZulu-Natal Municipality Areas, South Africa

Salmonellosis and antimicrobial resistance caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella are public health concerns. This study aimed at determining prevalence, serovars, virulence factors of from beef products. Four-hundred samples 25 retail outlets in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were analyzed for using standard methods, confirmation with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time flight serotyping according to the White–Kauffmann–Le Minor scheme. The Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was used determine against Cefotaxime, Kanamycin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin Cefoxitin Tetracycline. A polymerase chain reaction performed detect invA, agfA, lpfA, hilA, sivH, sefA, sopE, spvC genes. observed 1.25% (5/400) samples. Four serovars (Enteritidis, Hadar, Heidelberg, Stanley) identified. Almost all susceptible antimicrobials except S. Enteritidis isolate that resistant Tetracycline, Ampicillin Amoxicillin. All isolates carried least two factors. findings indicate low prevalence meat selected KZN beef; however, routine surveillance monitor risk associated is required mitigate potential outbreaks. highlights a need routinely order enhance human health.