What are the four major bacteria currently under surveillance by NARMS?

• A. Salmonella; Campylobacter; Escherichia coli; Enterococcus
• B. Salmonella; Campylobacter; Shigella; Listeria
• C. Salmonella; E. coli; Norovirus; Enterococcus
• D. Campylobacter; E. coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Enterococcus

Answer: (A)

NARMS focuses its antimicrobial resistance monitoring on the bacteria most commonly responsible for foodborne illness, tracking trends across humans, animals, and retail meat. The four major bacteria under surveillance are Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus. These organisms are widespread causes of disease and show meaningful resistance patterns that inform public health actions. Salmonella and Campylobacter are leading foodborne pathogens, E. coli includes clinically important pathogenic strains, and Enterococcus is watched for rising resistance such as vancomycin resistance, which has serious clinical implications. Other choices mix in organisms or even a virus not part of the core NARMS panel, so they don’t represent the standard four targets.