Salmonella enterica subspecies I serovar 4,[5],12:i:- (Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-) is among the five most common serovars associated with human salmonellosis in the United States. In 2010, human infections with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- which exhibited resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline (ASSuT) emerged as a public health concern. Outbreak investigations identified live animal settings, meat and poultry, and pets as confirmed and suspect sources of infection. To shed further light on possible sources of ASSuT-resistant Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- infections, we described isolates recovered from meat and poultry products regulated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and from food animal ceca collected at FSIS-regulated slaughter establishments during 2007-2016. During the time period of interest, ASSuT-resistant Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- was found at low levels in multiple FSIS product classes including swine, turkey, cattle and chicken, which suggests this pathogen has a relatively wide host range. Monitoring trends in the various FSIS production classes over time and developing commodity profiles may help focus preventative strategies.
Keywords: Salmonella; antibiotic resistance; meat and poultry testing.