1.Salmonella in Malaysia: Outbreaks, contamination sources, serovar distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns
Tropical Biomedicine 2026;43(No. 1):112-131
Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, with the ability to contaminate
a wide range of sources. The identification of the frequently contaminated sources is vital for improving
the management of Salmonella infections and outbreaks. As there is growing concern on bacterial
resistance to antimicrobial agents globally, it is crucial to monitor the resistance of Salmonella to
antimicrobial agents for effective treatment of salmonellosis and prudent use of antibiotics. The
epidemiology of Salmonella, including outbreak patterns, serovars prevalence and antimicrobial
resistance profiles, could differ by region. Therefore, assessing the local status of Salmonella is crucial
for implementing targeted interventions. This review provides an overview of foodborne disease and
Salmonella-related outbreaks in Malaysia, focusing on Salmonella’s sources of isolation, serovars and
antimicrobial resistance patterns. In Malaysia, food poisoning outbreaks remain a recurring public health
issue, and Salmonella is one of the main causative agents with fatal cases. However, the true burden of
salmonellosis is difficult to determine as data on non-typhoidal salmonellosis are lacking. Salmonella was
detected in both human and non-human samples, with S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis being the most
common serovars. Salmonella isolates in Malaysia exhibited a wide range of antimicrobial susceptibility
patterns, with notably high resistance to erythromycin and penicillin. The review highlights the need
for continuous surveillance of Salmonella infections, encompassing both typhoidal and non-typhoidal
salmonellosis, as well as systematic monitoring of contamination sources and antimicrobial resistance
patterns to improve understanding and ensure effective management of salmonellosis in Malaysia.


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