Antimicrobial resistance and phage types of Salmonella isolates from healthy and diarrheic pigs in Korea.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the serotypes, antimicrobial resistance, and phage types of Salmonella spp. isolated from healthy and diarrheic pigs in Korea. Materials and Methods: A total of 1072 fecal samples and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected from healthy (n = 641) and diarrheic (n = 431) pigs throughout Korea during 2006–2007. Salmonella isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and phage types. Results: A total of 204 Salmonella were isolated, and 3 and 9 serotypes were identified in the isolates from healthy and diarrheic pigs, respectively. Salmonella Typhimurium (38.9%), Salmonella Rissen (25.3%), and Salmonella Schwarzengrund (17.9%) were the most commonly observed serotypes in healthy pigs, while Salmonella Typhimurium (89.7%) in diarrheic pigs. A high frequency of resistance to antimicrobials, including tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and streptomycin, was observed in Salmonella isolates. In particular, Salmonella Typhimurium showed much higher rates of resistance than th...