Which four major bacteria are currently under surveillance by NARMS?

• A. Campylobacter, Enterococcus, E. coli, Shigella
• B. Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella
• C. Enterococcus, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella
• D. Campylobacter, Enterococcus, E. coli, Salmonella

Answer: (D)

NARMS focuses on antimicrobial resistance in four bacteria because they are major contributors to human illness from food and are routinely tested across human, animal, and retail food sources. Campylobacter and Salmonella are among the leading causes of bacterial foodborne disease, and monitoring their resistance patterns helps guide clinical treatment and public health actions. Escherichia coli is included as a sentinel organism for the broader Enterobacteriaceae family, providing a barometer of resistance trends that affect many related pathogens. Enterococcus is tracked due to its role in healthcare-associated infections and its capacity to acquire and spread resistance, including to vancomycin. Shigella is important, but it is not one of the four bacteria currently highlighted in this NARMS framework.