Prevalence, serotypes distribution and characterization of Salmonella in common carp (Cyprinus Carpio), Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in 100 free freshwater common carp samples using the classic culture technique. For the confirmation of the isolates at molecular levels, the invA gene was detected. Serotyping of the isolates was also detected. The presence of invA, class 1 (Cls1) integrons, and integrase (Int1) genes was demonstrated by PCR assay; and the resistance of the Salmonella spp. strains to antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion test.  Salmonella were detected in 3% (n=7 isolates) of the samples. Three different serotypes were detected; S. Panama, Enteritidis and Quinella. S. Panama is predominant. The invA was detected in the isolates. To detect antibiotic susceptibility, 14 different antibiotics were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The isolates were evaluated for β-lactamase production. All isolates were resistant to erythromycin, penicillin, oxacillin, vancomycin and clindamycin. Multiple resistances were found in all isolates. S. Enteritidis and one S. Panama were the most resistant serovars. The Cls1 were detected in all isolates. In contrast, int1 were detected in 57.14%. In conclusion, the prevalence of Salmonella in the common carp can pose a risk to the public due to  foodborne salmonellosis, multiple antibiotic resistance properties and the potential transfer of drug resistance genes to other members of the Enterobacteriaceae and humans via Cls1 integron.