CTX-M-65 Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella enterica Serotype Infantis, United States

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) confer resistance to clinically important third-generation cephalosporins, which are often used to treat invasive salmonellosis. In the United States, ESBLs are rarely found in Salmonella. However, in 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration found bla(CTX-M-65) ESBL-producing Salmonella anterica serotype Infantis in retail chicken meat. The isolate had a rare pulsed-field gel eletrophoresis pattern. To clarify the sources and potential effects on human health, we examined isolates with this pattern obtained from human surveillance and associated metadata. Using broth microdilution for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing, we characterized the isolates. Of 34 isolates, 29 carried the bla(CTX-M-65) gene with <= 9 additional resistance genes on 1 plasmid. Of 19 patients with travel information available, 12(63%) reported recent travel to South America. Genetically, isolates from travelers, nontravelers, and retail chicken meat were similar. Expanded surveillance is needed to determine domestic sources and potentially prevent spread of this ESBL-containing plasmid.