Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a significant global challenge, with an estimated 10 million deaths annually by 2050. The emergence of AMR is mainly attributed to mobile genetic elements (MGEs or mobilomes), which accelerate wide dissemination among pathogens. The interaction between mobilomes and AMR genes (or resistomes) in Salmonella, a primary cause of diarrheal diseases that results in over 90 million cases annually, remains poorly understood. The available fragmented or incomplete genomes remain a significant limitation in investigating the relationship between AMR and MGEs. Here, we collected the most extensive closed Salmonella genomes (n = 1,817) from various sources across 58 countries. Notably, our results demonstrate that resistome transmission between Salmonella lineages follows a specific pattern of MGEs and is influenced by external drivers, including certain socioeconomic factors. Therefore, targeted interventions are urgently needed to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of Salmonella AMR.
Keywords: Salmonella; complete genome sequence; horizontal gene transfer; mobile genetic elements; resistome.