SUMMARYWe investigated the prevalence, diversity, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of
non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) and associated risk factors on 341 pig,
chicken, and duck farms in Dong Thap province (Mekong Delta, Vietnam). Sampling was
stratified by species, district (four categories), and farm size (three categories).
Pooled faeces, collected using boot swabs, were tested using ISO 6575: 2002 (Annex D).
Isolates were serogrouped; group B isolates were tested by polymerase chain reaction to
detect S. Typhimurium and (monophasic) serovar 4,[5],12:i:- variants. The
farm-level adjusted NTS prevalence was 64·7%, 94·3% and 91·3% for chicken, duck and pig
farms, respectively. Factors independently associated with NTS were duck farms [odds ratio
(OR) 21·2], farm with >50 pigs (OR 11·9), pig farm with 5–50 pigs (OR 4·88)
(vs. chickens), and frequent rodent sightings (OR 2·3). Both
S. Typhimurium and monophasic S. Typhimurium were more
common in duck farms. Isolates had a high prevalence of resistance (77·6%) against
tetracycline, moderate resistance (20–30%) against chloramphenicol,
sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, ampicillin and nalidixic acid, and low resistance
(<5%) against ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins. Multidrug
resistance (resistance against ⩾3 classes of antimicrobial) was independently associated
with monophasic S. Typhimurium and other group B isolates (excluding
S. Typhimurium) and pig farms. The unusually high prevalence of NTS on
Mekong Delta farms poses formidable challenges for control.