On April 20 to 30, 2026, Maria Makarova, Leading Researcher and Samida Zhamborova, Junior Researcher, Intestinal Infections Laboratory, participated in a joint research study "Antibiotic Resistance of Infectious Disease Pathogens in Vietnam," as part of the "One Health"
concept and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Pasteur Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in St. Petersburg and the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang dated February 28, 2025.
During the reporting period, 145 food samples were collected, including 50 poultry samples, 50 pork samples, 15 pork tongue samples, and 30 pâté samples. A total of 1,946 tests were performed: pre-enrichment – 145, enrichment – 145, plating on solid nutrient media – 290, biochemical identification – 184, DNA extraction of suspect colonies – 275, PCR – 275, antibiotic susceptibility testing by disk diffusion – 237, gradient diffusion – 237, and serial dilution – 158.
96 Salmonella spp. strains were isolated and identified, including 83 Salmonella enterica and 1 Salmonella bongori. The presence of L. monocytogenes was not confirmed in any samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that 31 (39.2%) Salmonella enterica strains were susceptible to all antimicrobials. A total of 44 isolates (55.7%) were resistant to ampicillin, 12 (15.2%) to third-generation cephalosporins, 37 (46.8%) to fluoroquinolones, 16 (20.3%) to aminoglycosides, 31 (39.2%) to trimethoprim, and 42 (60.7%) to tetracycline. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production was confirmed in 7 (8.9%) strains. A multiple-resistance phenotype was observed in 48 (60.7%) of the studied strains.
Based on the results of the study, a report was prepared and a plan for further joint research was agreed upon. It was recommended to continue collecting food samples (poultry, pork, pork tongue, and pâté) and feces from patients with signs of acute intestinal infection, in accordance with the Memorandum.
Following the meeting with the Director of the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, the project coordinator, and laboratory staff, the sides reached an agreement regarding prospects for further collaboration aimed at identifying the etiological factors of acute intestinal infections, as well as monitoring the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics in Nha Trang.
