Evaluation of resistance and virulence factors in <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i> serovar Thompson isolates in the poultry chain

1.This study investigated antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i> serovar Thompson (SET) isolates from broilers in the Brazilian poultry industry.2. Among 44 isolates, 18.18% showed phenotypic resistance, with <i>tetA</i>, <i>sul1</i> and <i>sul2</i> genes frequently detected, while <i>sul3</i> was absent. Two isolates carried clinically relevant resistance genes: <i>bla</i>CTX-M-1 (ESBL) and OXA-48 (carbapenemase).3. The PFGE analysis revealed five distinct clusters with low genetic diversity, which suggested a clonal dissemination pattern. One strain from cluster E showed the highest pathogenicity in broilers, underscoring the need for continued molecular surveillance in poultry production.