Environmental Reservoirs of Drug-Resistant Salmonella Typhi: Implications for Public Health

Abstract

Salmonella Typhi is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, flagellated bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Environmental reservoirs contribute to the persistence of S. Typhi in the ecosystem and facilitate its transmission between hosts, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Antibiotic resistance in S. Typhi poses a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation and poor water quality. This review explores the environmental dimension of antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi, focusing on its reservoirs, resistance mechanisms, driving factors, and public health implications. The presence of resistant S. Typhi in water bodies, soil, and other environmental reservoirs has been increasingly reported, highlyghting the role of environmental factors in sustaining and disseminating antibiotic resistance. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S. Typhi strains complicates treatment strategies and raises concerns about untreatable infections. Contributing factors such as the misuse of antibiotics, discharge of untreated wastewater, and horizontal gene transfer among bacterial communities further exacerbate the problem. This review also examines strategies for mitigating the spread of antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi in the environment. Strengthening wastewater treatment, enforcing antibiotic stewardship, and implementing robust surveillance programs are crucial for controlling the environmental transmission of resistant strains. Understanding the interplay between environmental reservoirs and human infections is essential for developing effective public health interventions.