Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Microorganisms Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Salmonella and Food Safety

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 8706

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gerardo Vazquez-Marrufo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centro Multidisciplinario de Estudios en Biotecnología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Tarímbaro 58893, Michoacán, Mexico
Interests: molecular epidemiology; Salmonella enterica; strain typing; fungi; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ma Soledad Vázquez Garcidueñas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

División de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y Biológicas, "Dr. Ignacio Chávez", Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58020, Michoacán, Mexico
Interests: molecular epidemiology; Salmonella enterica; comparative genomics; stress resistance; antibiotic resistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Salmonella enterica is a worldwide animal and human pathogen responsible for gastrointestinal infections but also it can cause acute infections in other parts of the body. This bacterial species can survive for long periods of time outside its host, by colonizing inorganic and organic surfaces, waiting for the chance to enter a host body through an oral route. Because of its global public health relevance, it is important to understand its colonization strategies and biofilm development, stress tolerance and its relationship with virulence factors determinants, and antibiotic resistance. Physiological, biochemical, and molecular genetic studies associated with S. enterica physiological plasticity are relevant to gain knowledge on its mechanisms for preservation inside and outside of the host and resulting illnesses. Strategies to prevent biofilm formation, diagnosis of contamination of food matrices, and characterization of serotypes and genotypes of food isolates are also relevant in the analysis of S. enterica in the production chain. Studies of this nature, along the food chain, from farm to the fork, and even inside the host, are the focus of this Special Issue. Both original articles and reviews on the subject are welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Isolation of Salmonella enterica strains along the food chain and their biochemical, molecular, and/or physiological characterization;
Methods for identifying S. enterica along the food chain;
S. enterica serotypes and/or genotypes incidence along the food chain;
Omics and multiomics analysis of S. enterica strains isolated along the food chain;
Stress resistance mechanisms of S. enterica strains isolated along the food chain;
Antibiotic resistance in S. enterica strains isolated along the food chain.

Dr. Gerardo Vazquez-Marrufo
Prof. Dr. Ma Soledad Vázquez Garcidueñas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Salmonella enterica
serotype
genotype
stress resistance
biofilm
food contamination
virulence determinants
antibiotic resistance
omics studies
diagnostics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

11 pages, 535 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a PCR Assay for the Identification of Salmonella Thompson

by Dele Ogunremi, Naana Duah, Tianbi Tan, Bei Zhang and Lawrence Goodridge

Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040927 - 20 Apr 2026

Viewed by 259

Abstract

The effective control of foodborne salmonellosis relies on the rapid and reliable detection and identification of the pathogen. Reliable detection tools for identifying the most common Salmonella serovars should translate to a considerable alleviation of the health burden attributed to Salmonella. We have developed a PCR assay for the rapid identification of colonies of Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson, a common serovar. Genomic analyses of publicly available sequences of Salmonella Thompson revealed the presence of a unique, Thompson-specific fragment, which we have used to design a pair of oligonucleotides, STho-F and STho-R, for the PCR amplification of an 808 bp DNA fragment. Using crude DNA extracts, the 808 bp fragment was detected in 77 out of 78 isolates of S. Thompson (sensitivity = 98.7% n = 78 isolates) but not in any of the non-Salmonella organisms tested (n = 100; 100% specificity) nor in non-Thompson Salmonella serovars (n = 100; 100% specificity). The sensitivity (inclusivity) and specificity (exclusivity) indices of the PCR assay for S. Thompson met the standard regulatory requirements. The Thompson primer pair was compatible with other primers pairs in a multiplex PCR designed for three other common Salmonella serovars. Colonies belonging to the Enteritidis serovar (n = 100), Heidelberg serovar (n = 100), Typhimurium serovar (n = 100), and Thompson serovar (n = 77) were correctly designated, indicating excellent inclusivity and exclusivity scores for all four Salmonella serovars tested in a single multiplex PCR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1903 KB

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiological, Phenotypic, and Genomic Characterization of Salmonella from Food and Clinical Sources in Liaoning, China, 2022–2024

by Mingyan Zhang, Lianzheng Yu, Menghan Li, Meimei Zhang, Weijie Wang, Haixia Liu, Yingzhi Geng, Miao Yu, Jinghong Ma, Qingyuan Wang, Wenli Diao and Yan Wang

Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040823 - 3 Apr 2026

Viewed by 444

Abstract

Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide, posing significant risks to public health and food safety. This study investigated the prevalence, serovar distribution, genotypic characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Salmonella. A total of 2515 food samples were collected from retail markets, supermarkets, and food processing facilities, and 13,670 stool samples were obtained from sentinel hospitals across 14 cities in Liaoning. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare genetic features among serovars, followed by Dunn’s post hoc test for pairwise comparisons. A total of 314 Salmonella strains were identified, with raw poultry showing the highest detection rate (28.88%) among food sources and children aged 0–6 years (3.47%) the highest among the clinical age groups. Among food samples, S. Enteritidis was the most prevalent serovar (42.6%), and it was also the most common in clinical samples (35.8%); in contrast, S. 4,[5],12:i:- was dominant in pediatric clinical cases. According to AMR analysis, 90.13% of strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 67.83% were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with the highest resistance to ampicillin (68.47%). Analysis revealed that S. 4,[5],12:i:- harbored the ASSuT resistance module (blaTEM-1B, aph(3″)-Ib/aph(6)-Id, sul2, tet(B)). Extensive MDR phenotypes were observed in S. Indiana and S. Kentucky, associated with abundant insertion sequences (IS) and resistance genes (ARGs), including clinically critical determinants (blaNDM-9, mcr-1.1, rmtB). The highest mean virulence factor (VF) count (111.17) was observed in S. Enteritidis, contributing to its epidemiological success. Conversely, S. Indiana and S. Kentucky, predominantly food-associated serovars, exhibited reduced virulence but served as critical AMR reservoirs. These findings highlight the epidemiological characteristics and AMR risks of Salmonella in food and clinical settings, providing critical data for food safety and clinical antimicrobial stewardship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2546 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Presence of Heavy Metal Resistance Genes in Salmonella enterica and Their Association with Antibiotic Resistance

by Eric Tang, Ashraf Khan and Steven L. Foley

Microorganisms 2025, 13(12), 2696; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13122696 - 26 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1101

Abstract

Metals are widely used in animal feed for their growth-stimulating and antimicrobial effects; yet, there is potential concern that their use can promote antimicrobial resistance through co-selection. However, the prevalence of these metal resistance genes in Salmonella and their impact on the induction of antimicrobial resistance remain unclear. To aid in this understanding, this study investigated of the prevalence of heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs) and their comparison with antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Salmonella enterica strains isolated from various sources, across different locations and time periods. Data on stress and AMR genotypes, serovar, source, location, and collection date were retrieved from the NCBI Pathogen Detection Isolate Browser. Isolates from the United States with complete metadata were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and PANDAS (Python Data Analysis Library). Chi-square tests were conducted to assess differences in ARG presence between HMRG-positive and HMRG-negative isolates. Additionally, the co-localization of HMRGs and ARGs on plasmids was examined, and plasmid incompatibility types were assessed. The results show that HMRG prevalence varied significantly across serovars and sources. Certain ARGs occurred at significantly higher frequencies in isolates harboring HMRGs. Co-localization of HMRGs and ARGs on plasmids was frequently observed, although no specific plasmid incompatibility group was uniquely associated with this co-localization. These findings highlight a potential link between metal resistance and antibiotic resistance in S. enterica, reinforcing concerns about the use of heavy metals in agriculture. The results provide important insights for risk assessment and inform strategies aimed at mitigating AMR as a global public health threat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 265 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence, Serotypes, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Species in Ready-to-Eat Foods in Erbil, Iraq

by Dhary Alewy Almashhadany, Abdulwahed Ahmed Hassan and Izhar U. H. Khan

Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102225 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 2641

Abstract

Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods including sandwiches, pastries, shawarma, and burgers are widely consumed and may potentially increase the risk of foodborne infections. This study investigated the prevalence, serovar diversity, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Salmonella spp. in RTE foods collected between January and June 2024 from street vendors and restaurants across Erbil, Iraq. A total of 350, including 85 sandwiches, 75 pastries, 95 shawarma, and 95 burgers obtained from 115 cafeteria, 120 street vendors, and 115 restaurants were analyzed. Salmonella was detected in 7.1% (n = 25) of samples, with a high contamination in shawarma (8.4%; n = 95), followed by sandwiches (7.1%; n = 85), pastries (6.7%; n = 75), and burgers (6.3%; n = 95). Street vendors exhibited a higher (9.2%; n = 120) contamination rate compared to the cafeteria (6.9%; n = 115) and restaurants (5.2%; n = 115). Among 25 Salmonella isolates, 10 serotypes were identified, with S. Anatum (20%) and S. Typhimurium (16%) being the most prevalent. All isolates were susceptible to colistin, cefadroxil, and gentamicin, while showing high resistance to streptomycin (52%) and levofloxacin (48%). Contamination peaked during the warmer months, particularly in June (15.4%) and May (11.5%), when compared to the other sampling months. These findings highlight significant food safety concerns related to Salmonella contamination and AMR in RTE foods, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced hygiene practices and regulatory oversight especially among street vendors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

13 pages, 1737 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Salmonella via Immunomagnetic Separation and Nanoparticle-Enhanced SPR

by Fengzhu Liang, Yuzhen Li, Yan Cui and Jianhua Zhang

Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1914; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081914 - 16 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2257

Abstract

The widespread prevalence of Salmonella underscores the urgent need for rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection methods to ensure food safety and protection of public health. In this study, we successfully developed an integrated detection system that combines immunomagnetic separation with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. This system achieved high capture efficiencies, exceeding 96.04% in phosphate-buffered saline and over 91.66% in milk samples artificially spiked with S. Typhimurium at concentrations below 4.2 × 10⁴ CFU/mL. However, direct SPR detection of the isolated S. Typhimurium showed limited sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.2 × 10⁷ CFU/mL. Incorporating a sandwich assay with antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles significantly enhanced sensitivity, lowering the LOD by six orders of magnitude to 4.2 × 10¹ CFU/mL. The whole integrated process, integrating immunomagnetic separation with SPR analysis, was completed within 50 min. These results demonstrate that this AuNP-enhanced SPR platform offers both the rapidity and sensitivity essential for effective monitoring of food safety and traceability in Salmonella-related foodborne outbreaks, particularly in products such as milk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1331 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella from Poultry Carcass Rinsates in Selected Abattoirs of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

by Bongi Beatrice Mankonkwana, Evelyn Madoroba, Kudakwashe Magwedere and Patrick Butaye

Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1786; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081786 - 31 Jul 2025

Viewed by 1385

Abstract

Contaminated poultry is one of the major sources of food-borne non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Salmonella along the slaughter process in low- and high-throughput poultry abattoirs in South Africa and to determine their characteristics. Samples were collected from 500 chicken carcass rinsates at various processing stages in three abattoirs. Salmonella detection and identification was conducted in accordance with the ISO 6579 methodology. NTS serotyping was performed with serotype-specific PCRs. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella. PCR was used to analyze thirteen antimicrobial genes and four virulence genes. Salmonella spp. was detected in 11.8% (59/500; CI: 9.5–15) of the samples tested. The predominant serovars were Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 21/59; 35.59%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (n = 35; 59.32%). Almost all Salmonella isolates were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials except three. Despite the low resistance to tetracyclines at the phenotypic level, approximately half of the strains carried tetA genes, which may be due to “silent” antimicrobial resistance genes. Diverse virulence genes were detected among the confirmed NTS serotypes. We found a predominance of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium from chicken carcasses with diverse virulence and resistance genes. As we detected differences between the slaughterhouses, an in-depth study should be performed on the risk of Salmonella in low- and high-throughput abattoirs. The integrated monitoring and surveillance of NTS in poultry is warranted in South Africa to aid in the design of mitigation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella and Food Safety)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Salmonella and Food Safety

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI