Salmonella Serovar Diversity in Broilers: A CRISPR-SeroSeq Study

 Salmonella remains one of the most significant foodborne pathogens associated with poultry production worldwide. In broiler systems, the diversity of Salmonella serovars presents a major challenge for surveillance, control strategies, and public health protection. Different serovars vary in their virulence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and persistence within poultry farms. Understanding the distribution and dynamics of these serovars in broiler populations is therefore essential for reducing contamination along the food chain and preventing outbreaks in humans.

Traditional serotyping methods, while widely used, can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. The emergence of CRISPR-based technologies has opened new possibilities for high-resolution pathogen typing. CRISPR-SeroSeq integrates clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) profiling with next-generation sequencing to accurately identify and differentiate Salmonella serovars. Because CRISPR loci capture historical interactions with bacteriophages and plasmids, they serve as genetic fingerprints that enhance strain-level discrimination beyond conventional methods.

In broiler production systems, CRISPR-SeroSeq enables rapid detection of multiple serovars within a single flock. This is particularly important in intensive farming environments where mixed infections may occur. By sequencing CRISPR spacer arrays, researchers can trace transmission routes, monitor farm-to-slaughter contamination pathways, and detect emerging serovars before they become widespread. The approach also supports epidemiological investigations during outbreak scenarios by linking poultry isolates to human clinical cases.

Recent studies applying CRISPR-SeroSeq to broiler samples have revealed substantial serovar diversity, including both common serovars such as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, as well as less frequently reported variants. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of Salmonella populations in poultry ecosystems. Moreover, integrating CRISPR typing with antimicrobial resistance profiling provides a comprehensive understanding of risk factors associated with specific serovars, enabling more targeted intervention strategies.

Overall, CRISPR-SeroSeq represents a powerful advancement in poultry microbiology and food safety research. By offering rapid, accurate, and high-resolution serovar identification, it strengthens surveillance systems and enhances biosecurity measures in broiler production. Continued application of this technology will be critical for improving pathogen control, safeguarding public health, and supporting sustainable poultry farming practices in an era of increasing global food demand.