First report of ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from human cases in Morocco

Hajar Elmourabit; Bouchra Karraouane; Brahim Bouchrif; Bouchra Belahrach; Germán Kopprio; Oumaima Fazza; Zakariya Nchioua; Nabila Soraa; Khadija Elmehrach

doi:10.3855/jidc.22350

First report of ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from human cases in Morocco

Authors

Hajar Elmourabit Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, box 8106, Agadir, Morocco
Bouchra Karraouane Laboratory of food microbiology, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
Brahim Bouchrif Laboratory of food microbiology, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
Bouchra Belahrach Laboratory of Molecular Spectroscopy Modelling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment, CERNE2D, ENSAM, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5369-8915
Germán Kopprio Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
Oumaima Fazza Laboratory of Biochemistry, Environment and Agri-food, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Mohammedia, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco
Zakariya Nchioua Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, box 8106, Agadir, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0525-9927
Nabila Soraa Microbiology Laboratory, University Hospital Center Mohammed VI, Avenue Ibn Sina Amerchich, BP 2360, Marrakesh, Morocco
Khadija Elmehrach Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, box 8106, Agadir, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8257-9487

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22350

Keywords:

S. Enteritidis, ciprofloxacin, resistance, whole-genome sequencing

Abstract

Introduction: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a principal cause of foodborne and invasive infections worldwide. Ciprofloxacin continues to be a primary treatment for invasive cases, but resistance has emerged in several regions. In Morocco, although S. Enteritidis is frequently isolated, no ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates have been reported to date.

Methodology: A total of 60 Salmonella strains were detected in clinical samples from the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Marrakech between 2018 and 2024. Strain S54 was identified as S. Enteritidis by serotyping. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted using Illumina technology, and resistance and virulence determinants were analyzed with ResFinder, PlasmidFinder, and VFDB databases.

Results: Three isolates (5%), including the S54 strain, showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Genomic analysis identified a D87Y substitution in gyrA and the presence of efflux genes (mdsA, mdsB). Several virulence genes, including those located in SPI-1 and SPI-2, were also detected.

Conclusions: This study represents the first report of a ciprofloxacin-resistant S. Enteritidis strain in Morocco. These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen molecular surveillance and implement preventive measures against fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella.

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Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Elmourabit H, Karraouane B, Bouchrif B, Belahrach B, Kopprio G, Fazza O, Nchioua Z, Soraa N, Elmehrach K (2026) First report of ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from human cases in Morocco. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:579–583. doi: 10.3855/jidc.22350

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Issue

Vol. 20 No. 04: April 2026

Section

Original Articles

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