Coriander borne Salmonella superbug: genomic assessments of chromosomal and plasmid-associated resistance, virulence and MGEs of XDR Salmonella enterica Typhi NH1.

The drug-resistant strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) are serious threats to health sectors worldwide. This study focuses on genomic characterization of environmentally derived an extensively drug resistant (XDR) strain of Salmonella Typhi, highlighting its potential to cause significant outbreak. The XDR strain (labeled as NH1) was isolated from fresh coriander, and characterized through whole-genome sequencing to investigate its lineage diversity, niche adaptation, sources and resistant mechanism. The NH1 strain exhibits phylogenomic association with clinical lineages S. Typhi NCTC8385 and ASM3025476. Its genome, assembled in 67 contigs, exhibited expected coverage and GC content, harboring a mega-plasmid, virulence factors, and intrinsic and extrinsic antimicrobial resistance genes. Plasmid annotation revealed IncQ1 and IncY plasmids responsible for the acquired resistance. SPIFinder identified SPI1-10 pathogenicity islands, and the CRISPR-Cas locus, associated with bacterial defense, bile salt resistance and biofilm formation, was present. NH1 strain also possesses numerous mobile elements (proteins and transposases), 12 prophages, and secretion systems (types I-IV, VI), aiding its survival in environment like vegetables. The genomic characterization of S. Typhi NH1 highlights the emergence of coriander-borne XDR strain, underscoring the need for targeted prevention to mitigate its public health impact.