# Spots, stripes, and strains: a case report of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport in exotic felids

## TL;DR

A multidrug-resistant Salmonella strain linked to the deaths of exotic cats is reported, highlighting its potential to affect both animals and humans.

## Contribution

This case report expands the known host range of the MDR Salmonella Newport strain REPJJP01 to include exotic felids.

## Key findings

- The MDR Salmonella Newport strain REPJJP01 was isolated from two exotic felids across separate zoos.
- The strain is associated with chronic disease and potentially contributed to the death of a snow leopard and a Pallas’s cat.
- The study emphasizes the importance of genotypic and phenotypic analysis in tracking MDR Salmonella strains across hosts.

## Abstract

Shedding of Salmonella is not unusual in captive exotic animals; however, few cases link Salmonella to chronic disease or death of exotic felids.

We report a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Newport, persisting strain REPJJP01, isolated from exotic felids from two separate regional zoos and potentially contributing to the death of a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and a Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul). REPJJP01 strains of S. Newport are a recurring cause of human enteric disease outbreaks associated with travel to Mexico and beef products.

This case highlights the value of genotypic and phenotypic techniques to identify shared and potentially MDR strains of Salmonella from human and animal hosts. Importantly, these cases expand the host range of S. Newport persisting strain REPJJP01.