Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonellae have been extensively incriminated worldwide as common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and animals. This study investigated patterns of resistance of prevailing Salmonella serotypes from poultry and asymptomatic poultry workers. A total of 560 stool samples, comprising 200 from non-diarrhoeic workers and 360 from diarrhoeic poultry were randomly collected. Samples were processed and isolates identified by standard methods. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests using standard procedures. Sixty-four Salmonellae belonging toSalmonella typhimurium 32(50%), Salmonella gallinarum 28(43.75%) and Salmonella Eenteritidis 4(6.25%) were recorded, with S. typhimurium being the most prevalence serotype. There was statistical significance relationship (p>0.05) between the S. typhimurium isolated from poultry and healthy poultry workers. Salmonella serotypes were 100% resistant to ampicillin, 90.6% to tetracycline and moderately sensitive to nalidic acid (62.5%). Fluoroquinolone resistant S. typhimurium strains from poultry were also observed. Seventeen resistance patterns were observed with AmpCotNitStrTet, AmpNitNalStrTet and AmpNitStrTet being the most frequent patterns recorded. The study revealed emergence multiple drug resistant Salmonella serotypes from poultry and asymptomatic workers. Continuous use of fluoroquinolones as a growth promoter in animal feeds could be re-examined to reduce the widespread and circulation of emerging strains of this bacterium.

Key words: Poultry workers, poultry, non-typhoidal Salmonella, prevalence, antimicrobial resistance.