Meta-analysis of the prevalence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella spp. from eggs in China.

This study aimed to systematically assess the prevalence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in eggs in China. The overall pooled prevalence of Salmonella in Chinese eggs was 7.20%, which is higher than the levels reported in the United States and Europe. Contamination rates were higher on eggshells (8.30%) was than those in egg contents (4.50%), and prevalence was greater in farm samples (9.60%) than that in retail market samples (5.80%), highlighting the importance of hygiene management during production. Spatial analysis revealed significant regional variations, with generally higher prevalence in coastal provinces compared to inland provinces. Serotype analysis identified S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis as the predominant serotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates to several antibiotics, including nalidixic acid. Of particular concern is the notably high prevalence of the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-1, based on limited data. These findings highlight the serious nature of Salmonella contamination in the Chinese egg supply chain and its potential risk to public health, emphasizing the necessity to strengthen integrated supervision from farm to retail, improve hygiene practices, and strictly regulate antibiotic usage to ensure food safety.