Prevalence, molecular and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from sausages in Meknes, Morocco.

Salmonella is among the most important food borne pathogens worldwide contaminating a wide range of animal products including meat products. The aims of this study go through two steps: The first step is to estimate the proportion of sausages products contaminated with Salmonella in Meknes city (Morocco), which were collected from various shopping sites: butchery, street vendors, supermarket and souk (Weekly market combines the population of the small villages around Meknes city). The second one is to identify serovars, to determine the antimicrobials resistance patterns of isolates and to detect the invA and spvC genes. 34 (21.79%) Salmonella were isolated, recovered 4 serogroups and 12 serotypes. The most prevalent serotypes were Salmonella Corvallis (23.53%) and Salmonella Kentucky (17.65%). All Salmonella isolates were tested for their susceptibility to 18 selected antimicrobials agents, of which 100% were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, 85.30% (29/34) were resistant to two or more antimicrobials and 44.12% (15/34) were resistant to at least three antimicrobials. All Salmonella are resistant to ampicillin, 76.47% to streptomycin, 20.59% to sulfonamides, 17.65% to Tetracycline and 11.77% to Ofloxacin. The "ACSSuT" penta-resistance pattern was observed in tow of the Salmonella Typhimurium strains. In addition, this study showed that all Salmonella strains (34) were positive for invasion gene invA and negative for the virulence gene spvC.

Multinational outbreak of travel-related Salmonella Chester infections in Europe, summers 2014 and 2015.

Between 2014 and 2015, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was informed of an increase in numbers of Salmonella enterica serotype Chester cases with travel to Morocco occurring in six European countries. Epidemiological and microbiological investigations were conducted. In addition to gathering information on the characteristics of cases from the different countries in 2014, the epidemiological investigation comprised a matched case-case study involving French patients with salmonellosis who travelled to Morocco that year. A univariate conditional logistic regression was performed to quantify associations. The microbiological study included a whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of clinical and non-human isolates of S. Chester of varied place and year of isolation. A total of 162 cases, mostly from France, followed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and Sweden were reported, including 86 (53%) women. The median age per country ranged from 3 to 38 years. Cases of S. Chester were more likely to have eaten in a restaurant and visited the coast of Morocco. The results of WGS showed five multilocus sequence types (ST), with 96 of 153 isolates analysed clustering into a tight group that corresponded to a novel ST, ST1954. Of these 96 isolates, 46 (48%) were derived from food or patients returning from Morocco and carried two types of plasmids containing either qnrS1 or qnrB19 genes. This European-wide outbreak associated with travel to Morocco was likely a multi-source outbreak with several food vehicles contaminated by multidrug-resistant S. Chester strains.

Genotypic characterization of quinolone resistant-Escherichia coli isolates from retail food in Morocco.

This study was conducted to assess the retail food as a possible vehicle for antimicrobial resistant, particularly quinolones resistant and pathogenic Escherichia coli. We determined the prevalence and characteristics of nalidixic acid (Nal) resistant E. coli isolates from diverse retail food samples. In all, 70 (28%) of 250 E. coli isolates studied were Nal-resistant E. coli and 91% of these were multi-drug resistant. Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes were identified in 32 isolates, including aac(6')-Ib-cr (n = 16), qnrS1 (n = 11) and qnrB19 (n = 7). Mutations in gyr A and par C genes were detected among 80% of the isolates, and the isolates showed substitution Ser83-Leu and Asp87-Asn in gyrA and Ser80-Ile in parC. In addition, three different gene cassettes were identified (aadA1, aadA7, aac(3)-Id) in 18%. Virulence-associated genes stx1, eae, sfa, hlyA and stx2 were found in six (8%), three (4%), two (3%), three (4%) and three (4%) isolates, respectively. E. coli isolates of phylogenetic group A were dominant (64%, 45/70). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed none epidemiological relationship between these isolates. The results of this work report the higher frequency of Nal-resistant E. coli isolates from Moroccan retail food samples including MDR and pathogenic isolates.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from food products in the region of Casablanca, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonellosis is a foodborne bacterial disease responsible for food epidemics around the world. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and diversity of Salmonella serotypes in several food products isolated at the Casablanca Regional Analysis and Research Laboratory and to test their resistance to different antimicrobials. METHODOLOGY: The isolation and identification of Salmonella were performed according to Moroccan standard 08.0.116. All isolates were serotyped and were then tested for antibiotic resistance using the disk diffusion method. The Salmonella isolates were further analyzed by PCR to detect the presence of virulence genes invA. RESULTS: 20 different serotypes were identified from 80 strains isolated from 2015 to 2019, the most common of which are S. kentucky (26.3%) followed by S. muenster (10%), S. typhimurium (8.7%), S. menston (7.5%) and S. enteritidis (6.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 66.25% of isolates were resistant to at least one of the 14 antimicrobial agents tested. Bacterial resistance was most frequently observed for tetracycline with 46.25%, 45% to sulfonamide, 35% to nalidixic acid, 26, 25% to ampicillin, and 25% to ciprofloxacin. Salmonella serotypes S. montevideo, S. virchow, S. amsterdam, S. anatum, and S. bloomsbury were 100% susceptible to all antimicrobials tested. Examination of Salmonella for invA gene was positive for all the strains. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that minced meat has a high level of Salmonella contamination, which can be considered one of the main potential sources of human salmonellosis in Morocco.

International spread of an epidemic population of Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky ST198 resistant to ciprofloxacin.

National Salmonella surveillance systems from France, England and Wales, Denmark, and the United States identified the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant isolates of Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky displaying high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin. A total of 489 human cases were identified during the period from 2002 (3 cases) to 2008 (174 cases). These isolates belonged to a single clone defined by the multilocus sequence type ST198, the XbaI-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis cluster X1, and the presence of the Salmonella genomic island 1 variant SGI1-K. This clone was probably selected in 3 steps in Egypt during the 1990s and the early 2000s and has now spread to several countries in Africa and, more recently, in the Middle East. Poultry has been identified as a potential major vehicle for infection by this clone. Continued surveillance and appropriate control measures should be implemented by national and international authorities to limit the spread of this strain.

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from poultry in Casablanca-Settat, Morocco.

Campylobacteriosis and Campylobacter spp. resistance to antibiotics represents a serious worldwide public health problem thermophilic Campylobacters, in particular, are major causes of gastroenteritis in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chicken droppings, of commercial poultry in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. Between February and September 2017, 140 samples of chicken droppings were collected and analyzed by classical bacteriology methods for isolation and identification according to Moroccan Standard NM ISO/TS 10272-3 (2013), followed by molecular identification (PCR: polymerase chain reaction). Among the 140 samples, 102 (73%) were positive by Campylobacter spp. tests and 38 (27.14 %) were negative to Campylobacter spp. Among the positive colonies, 41 (40, 2%) were C. jejuni. Of the 41 C. jejuni isolates, resistance was detected to tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (97%), ampicillin (85%), ciprofloxacin (77%), amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid (61.4%), and gentamicin (12.0%). In conclusion, the data obtained in the current study demonstrate that the majority of C. jejuni isolates evaluated were resistant to antimicrobials of the cycline, macrolide, and fluoroquinolone families, and all of the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin. Fluoroquinolone is the drug of choice for treating Campylobacter infections. These results underline the need for prudent use of antibiotics in poultry production to minimize the spread of antibioticresistant Campylobacter spp.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter coli isolated from broiler farms in the Marrakesh Safi region, Morocco.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Campylobacteriosis is a common foodborne disease epidemiologically linked to the consumption of poultry products. However, other sources, such as raw or contaminated milk, contaminated water or ice, contact with infected livestock, and pets, are reported. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and resistance to microbial resistance of Campylobacter coli in broiler farms in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted between May and December 2017 and involved 35 broiler farms. One hundred and five cloacal swabs were collected from the eight provinces in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco. Bacteriology method NM ISO/TS 10272-3: 2013 was used to isolate and identify Campylobacter spp. Molecular identification (polymerase chain reaction) was used for confirmation. A disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar was used for susceptibility testing. Five antibiotic agents, including first-line drugs, were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 105 samples, 71.4% (75/105) were positive for Campylobacter spp. test and 56% (42/75) of isolates belonged to the species coli. Susceptibility profiles showed that 95.2% of C. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin, 92.8% to erythromycin and tetracycline, 85.7% to ciprofloxacin, and 7.1% to gentamicin. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the need to strengthen implementation of specific control procedures to decrease contamination of poultry meat with Campylobacter spp. and to reduce the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector.

Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Genes, and Genetic Diversity of Salmonella enterica Isolated from Sausages.

Salmonella is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide, and the infection with multidrug-resistant strains can cause severe diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance, to detect the virulence genes, and to study the genetic diversity of isolated Salmonella strains using 16S rRNA sequences. For this, 34 Salmonella strains isolated from sausages were identified using biochemical and serological methods. Molecular tools were used to evaluate the presence of virulence genes (orgA, sitC, sipB, spiA, iroN, and sifA) using simplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to sequence 16S rRNA genes for phylogenetic analysis. The susceptibility to 24 selected antibiotics was also studied. The results of this study showed that all isolated Salmonella were positive for targeted virulence genes and were resistant to at least one antibiotic. However, the multidrug resistance was observed in 44% of isolated strains. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences highlighted that Salmonella isolates were divided into 3 clusters and 3 sub-clusters, with a ≥98% similarity to Salmonella enterica species. From this study, we conclude that sausages are considered as a potential source of Salmonella, which could be a major risk to public health.

Microbial quality control of raw ground beef and fresh sausage in Casablanca (Morocco).

In this study, samples of raw ground beef (n = 150) and fresh sausage (n = 100) were collected randomly from butcheries, supermarkets, and fast-food shops, in Casablanca, Morocco. Two types of meat product samples were considered, one with spices (n = 115) and other without spices (n = 135). All the samples were analyzed for the presence of the following bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes. E. coli strains were further typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), Operon O, and characterized for virulence genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results indicated that counts of E. coli, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, and C. perfringens were 17%, 9.6%, and 8.7% in samples without spices, respectively; and 23.5%, 23.7%, and 29.6% in samples with spices, respectively. Two pathogenic genes, LT and EAST, were identified separately in four strains of E. coli. Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were isolated in 2.8% and 3.2% of the total samples, respectively.

Antimicrobial resistance and genetic diversity of Salmonella Infantis isolated from foods and human samples in Morocco.

OBJECTIVES: Genotyping of Salmonella strains is an important molecular tool to discriminate isolates and to improve epidemiological studies when an outbreak occurs. Among the DNA-based genotyping methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is currently used to subtype Salmonella isolates. In this study, the feasibility of genotyping Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis strains using XbaI restriction enzyme was evaluated. Separation of restricted fragments was performed by PFGE. METHODS: To test the possibility of applying this methodology to epidemiological investigation, a collection of 26 Salmonella Infantis strains were tested for their susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents and were analysed by XbaI macrorestriction followed by PFGE. Detection of class 1 integrons as well as intI1 and blaTEM genes in resistant strains was also studied. RESULTS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that 84.6% (22/26) of Salmonella Infantis isolates were susceptible to all of the antimicrobials tested, whereas 7.7% (2/26) had low-level resistance to ß-lactams and harboured the blaTEM gene. A class 1 integron (0.8kb) and the intI1 gene (898bp) were detected in one Salmonella Infantis strain. However, five different PFGE profiles were defined by XbaI macrorestriction. CONCLUSIONS: The PFGE method demonstrated adequate typing ability and represents a powerful tool to discriminate the serotype Salmonella Infantis.

Prevalence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from food products in Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases worldwide. The irrational use of antibiotics in medicine and in animal feed has greatly promoted the emergence and spread of resistant strains of non-typhoidal Salmonella. METHODOLOGY: A total of 464 food products were collected in Tetouan from January 2010 to December 2012. The isolation and identification of Salmonella were performed according to Moroccan standard 08.0.116. All isolates were serotyped and were then tested for antibiotic resistance using the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: The microbiological analysis showed that 10.3% of food samples were contaminated with Salmonella. Eleven serotypes were identified: Kentucky 22.9% (11/48), Agona 16.7% (8/48), Reading 12.5% (6/48), Corvallis 8.3% (4/48), Saintpaul 8.3% (4/48), Typhimurium 6.2% (3/48), Montevideo 6.2% (3/48), Enteritidis 4.2% (2/48), and 2% (1/48) for each of Israel, Hadar, and Branderup. Drug susceptibility testing showed that 39.6% of Salmonella were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 60.4% were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. The highest percentage of resistance was found to the following antimicrobial agents: nalidixic acid (27.1%), sulfonamides (25%), amoxicillin (12.5%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 12.5%, trimethoprim (10.4%), cephalothin (4.2%), and chloramphenicol (2.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of Salmonella in food products in Tetouan and a large percentage of drug-resistant strains. Hygienic measures should be rigorously implemented, and monitoring resistance of Salmonella is required to reduce the risks related to the emergence of multi-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance determinants and genetic analysis of Salmonella enterica isolated from food in Morocco.

Antimicrobial-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are an important cause of infection in Africa, but there is a lack of information on their molecular mechanisms of resistance and epidemiology. This study contributes to fill this gap through the characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), plasmid profiling and analysis of antibiotic-resistance determinants of 94 Salmonella enterica strains isolated from food in Morocco. PFGE revealed considerable heterogeneity among the strains, showing 32 pulsotypes. MLST of strains representative of the different serovars evidenced 13 sequence types (STs), three of which were newly identified (ST1694, ST1768 and ST1818) and nine not previously reported in Morocco. Thirty-four strains harbored from one to four plasmids, of IncI1 group in S. Mbandaka, IncFIIA in S. Typhimurium, IncL/M in S. Hadar and S. Blockley. For the first time in Morocco an intact Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI1) carrying the resistance genes aadA2, floR, tetG, blaPSE-1 and sul1 was detected in S. Typhimurium DT104. In serovar Hadar resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin was associated to blaTEM-1, tetA and strA genes respectively, whereas one mutation in gyrA (Asp87Asn) and one in parC (Thr54Ser) genes conferred resistance to nalidixic acid. These findings improve the information on foodborne Salmonella in Morocco, evidencing the presence of MDR strains potentially dangerous to humans, and provide useful data for future studies.

Highly drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky ST198-X1: a microbiological study.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica is a major global food-borne pathogen, causing life-threatening infections. Ciprofloxacin and extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) are the drugs of choice for severe infections. We previously reported a ciprofloxacin-resistant S. enterica serotype Kentucky (S Kentucky) ST198-X1 strain that emerged in Egypt and spread throughout Africa and the Middle East from 2002 to 2008. We aimed to monitor recent trends in the location of transmission and antimicrobial resistance of this strain. METHODS: We analysed isolates of S Kentucky collected by the French national surveillance system for salmonellosis in France from Jan 1, 2000, to Dec 31, 2011, and at two sites in Casablanca, Morocco, between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2011. We analysed patterns of travel of patients infected with a ciprofloxacin-resistant strain of S Kentucky. We identified isolates showing resistance to ESCs or decreased susceptibility to carbapenems, characterised isolates by XbaI-pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, and assessed mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs. FINDINGS: 954 (1%) of 128,836 serotyped Salmonella spp isolates in France were identified as S Kentucky, as were 30 (13%) of 226 Salmonella spp isolates from Morocco. During 2000-08, 200 (40%) of 497 subculturable isolates of S Kentucky obtained in France were resistant to ciprofloxacin, compared with 376 (83%) of 455 isolates in 2009-11, suggesting a recent increase in ciprofloxacin resistance in France. Travel histories suggested S Kentucky infections originated predominantly in east Africa, north Africa, west Africa, and the Middle East, but also arose in India. We report several occurrences of acquisition of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (CTX-M-1, CTX-M-15), plasmid-encoded cephalosporinase (CMY-2), or carbapenemase (OXA-48, VIM-2) genes by ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates of S Kentucky ST198-X1 from the Mediterranean area since 2009. Many of these highly drug-resistant isolates were also resistant to most aminoglycosides, to co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and to azithromycin. INTERPRETATION: The potential risk to public health posed by ciprofloxacin-resistant S Kentucky ST198-X1 warrants its inclusion in national programmes for the control of S. enterica in food-producing animals, in particular in poultry. FUNDING: Institut Pasteur, Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, French Government Investissement d'Avenir programme.

The global establishment of a highly-fluoroquinolone resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky ST198 strain.

While the spread of Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky resistant to ciprofloxacin across Africa and the Middle-East has been described recently, the presence of this strain in humans, food, various animal species (livestock, pets, and wildlife) and in environment is suspected in other countries of different continents. Here, we report results of an in-depth molecular epidemiological study on a global human and non-human collection of S. Kentucky (n = 70). We performed XbaI-pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, assessed mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions, detected ß-lactam resistance mechanisms, and screened the presence of the Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1). In this study, we highlight the rapid and extensive worldwide dissemination of the ciprofloxacin-resistant S. Kentucky ST198-X1-SGI1 strain since the mid-2000s in an increasingly large number of contaminated sources, including the environment. This strain has accumulated an increasing number of chromosomal and plasmid resistance determinants and has been identified in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Europe since 2010. The second substitution at position 87 in GyrA (replacing the amino acid Asp) appeared helpful for epidemiological studies to track the origin of contamination. This global study provides evidence leading to the conclusion that high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin in S. Kentucky is a simple microbiological trait that facilitates the identification of the epidemic clone of interest, ST198-X1-SGI1. Taking this into account is essential in order to detect and monitor it easily and to take rapid measures in livestock to ensure control of this infection.

Emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli in community-acquired urinary infections in Casablanca, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are an increasingly significant cause of community-acquired infection worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in a community, to analyze the relationship between strains studied, and to characterize the ESBL genes involved in this resistance. METHODOLOGY: ESBL production was detected by the double disk synergy test. Genes encoding ESBLs (blaTEM, blaCTM, blaSHV) were identified by PCR and DNA sequencing. Conjugation experiments were performed to check the transferability of antibiotic resistance genes. Strain inter-relationships were studied by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Seven ESBL-producing E. coli were identified among the 535 E. coli isolates. Most of them expressed a CTX-M enzyme (6/7) with a predominance of CTX-M-15 (6/6). Two strains possessed TEM in combination with CTX-M-15 or SHV-5.  Plasmid content and gene transfer analysis showed that resistance genes were carried by high molecular weight conjugative plasmids. PFGE analysis showed that the strains were not clonal. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL-producing E. coli from urinary tract infections in Casablanca belong to different clones and carry mobile beta-lactamase genes.  It is therefore essential to monitor the epidemiology of ESBLs in E. coli and related organisms locally to effectively combat resistance.

Assessment of phylogenetic structure of Berber-speaking population of Azrou using 15 STRs of Identifiler kit.

Allele frequencies for 15 STR autosomal loci of Identifiler kit (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) in the Moroccan population of Berber-speaking of Azrou, were assessed from a sample of 201 unrelated individuals. Markers D18S51, D2S1338, FGA and D21S11 present the highest power of discrimination (PD) values while D21S11 was the most polymorphic locus in the studied population. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide populations, shows that Berber-speaking population of Azrou was so close to the Berber-speaking population of Asni but also to the Arab-speaking population of southern Morocco. Nevertheless, a significant distance was observed between populations of Azrou and Bouhria even they share the same dialect (Amazigh) and belong to the same geographical area (Morocco). The 15 STR loci studied appear to be highly discriminating, thus providing a powerful tool for forensic applications, paternity investigation, individual identification and anthropological studies.

Allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci in the southern Morocco population with phylogenetic structure among worldwide populations.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the AmpFl STR Identifiler kit was performed in a random sample of 204 unrelated individuals from the Arabic-speaking population of the southern Morocco. Allele frequencies of 15 STRs loci (D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, D19S433, CSF1PO, TH01 and D3S1358) have been reported in this population. Markers D18S51, FGA, D2S1338 and D21S11 had the highest power of discrimination (PD) values while TH01 was the most informative locus in the studied population. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide populations and genetic distance values show a great affinity between the Southern Moroccan population, Saudian, Moroccan of Asni and Andalusian. Our data is useful for anthropological and other comparative studies of populations and is powerful for forensic and paternity testing in the Arabic-speaking population of the Southern Morocco.

Prevalence and antibiotic-resistance of Salmonella isolated from food in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Salmonellosis remains one of the most frequent food-borne diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates from food can potentially compromise the treatment of these infections. This investigation was conducted for the first time in Morocco both to detect the occurrence of Salmonella in foods as well as to determine the antibiotic resistance profile of the Salmonella isolates. METHODOLOGY: In total, 11,516 food samples collected from 2002 to 2005 were investigated. Isolated Salmonella were characterized by serotyping and susceptibilities were determined for 15 antimicrobial drugs using the disc diffusion assay. RESULTS: The overall percentage of Salmonella prevalence (n=105) was 0.91% with rates of 71% for slaughterhouses and 9% for seafood. Sixteen different serotypes were identified among 104 Salmonella enterica isolates including serotypes Infantis (n=25), Bredeney (n=13), Blokley (n=11), Typhimurium (n=9), Mbandaka (n=8), Branderup II (n=7), and Kiambu (n=6); 1 isolate of Salmonella enterica belonged to subspecies II salamae. Twenty-nine percent of isolates (n=30/105) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Resistance to tetracycline was the most common finding (21%), followed by resistance to ampicillin (13%), amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (9%), streptomycin (7%), chloramphenicol (4%) and nalidixic acid (3,8%). None of the isolates was resistant to 3rd-cephalosporin and fluoroquinolones (i.e. ciprofloxacin). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was seen in 9.5% of the isolates, mainly in S.. Typhimurium DT104 with R-type ACSSuT and S. Hadar. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a low frequency of Salmonella isolation, S. Typhimurium DT104 was identified in the first step of the food chain. The study points out the need control antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolated from food in Morocco to avoid the spread of MDR.