Systematic review on the laboratory methodology for conducting wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) for Salmonella

Salmonella infections continue to pose a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Southeast Asia. Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) offers a promising approach for supplementing clinical and field surveillance methods for early detection and monitoring. This systematic review aimed to evaluate laboratory methodologies for detecting Salmonella spp. in wastewater and contaminated surface waters. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (1980–2024) were searched for studies that described sampling and laboratory methods for detecting Salmonella in environmental water. Data extraction and quality assessment used standardized templates. Out of 2,007 records, 94 studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological heterogeneity was high, with grab sampling and Moore swabs predominating; Salmonella detection methods included culture, PCR, and genomic sequencing. Fewer than 30% of studies reported comprehensive quality control. Based on the systematic review, a need for standardized, context-adapted protocol was identified to enhance WES utility for Salmonella surveillance in LMICs.