Highly drug resistant clone of *Salmonella* Kentucky ST198 in clinical infections and poultry in Zimbabwe

A highly multidrug-resistant strain of *Salmonella enterica* serotype Kentucky (*S. Kentucky*) of sequence type (ST)198 emerged in North Africa and has since spread widely. This study investigated the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of *S. Kentucky* in Zimbabwe, identifying potential infection sources. Whole-genome sequencing of 37 *S. Kentucky* strains (36 ST198, one ST152) from human clinical infections and poultry farms (2017-2020) revealed that all ST198 isolates carried 6-15 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, with 92% carrying at least ten. All ST198 isolates harbored SGI1-KIV, and mutations in *gyrA* and *parC*. *blaCTX-M-14.1* and *fosA3* genes (on an IncH12 plasmid) were present in 92% of ST198 isolates. The close genetic relationship between human and poultry isolates suggests poultry are an important source of highly resistant *S. Kentucky* in Zimbabwe.

Tapfumanei Mashe, Gaetan Thilliez, Blessmore V. Chaibva, Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon, Matt Bawn, Moses Nyanzunda, Valerie Robertson, Andrew Tarupiwa, Haider Al-Khanaq, Dave Baker, Moishe Gosa, Marleen M. Kock, Stanley Midzi, Mwamakamba Lusubilo Witson, Matheu Jorge, Jacob Dyring Jensen, Frank M. Aarestrup, François-Xavier Weill, Rene S. Hendriksen, Marthie M. Ehlers, Robert A. Kingsley