Prevalence, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from dogs of Ambo, Bako and Gojo towns of West Shoa, Ethiopia

Salmonella is the most known zoonotic bacterial agent, which produces salmonellosis in animals as wells as in humans. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence, to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and to assess risk factors associated with Salmonella shedding in dogs in selected towns of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 438 rectal swab samples were collected from randomly selected dogs for isolation and identification of Salmonella using standard procedures. A questionnaire survey was also administered. The results showed that 48 (11.0%, 95%, [CI]: 8.2% - 14.3 %) dogs were positive for Salmonella. The occurrenceof Salmonella was 10.9% (26/238), 11.6% (15/129) and 9.9% (7/71) in Ambo, Bako and Gojo towns respectively. Salmonella shedding was significantly higher in older dogs (15.0%) than younger ones (6.1 %) (P<0.05). The occurrence of Salmonella was not significantly associated with study towns, sex, breed of dogs,educational level of owners, presence of other domestic animals and housing system (P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of isolation of Salmonella was significantly higher in old than young dogs (OR): 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-5.6, P=0.007) and in dogs eating mixed type of feeds (raw animal products, household leftover) than cooked feed (OR = 9.0, 95% CI: 1.2 – 68.1, P=0.033). There was also a significant difference between kebeles of the study areas in that Salmonella isolation was nearly nine times higher in Bako Kebele 02 (P=0.005) as compared to Ambo kebele 03. Salmonella isolates have developed the highest level of resistance for ampicillin (100%), tetracycline  (93.3%) and streptomycin (80.0 %), however, all isolates were susceptible to Norfloxacin. The occurrence of Salmonella, most of which resistant to commonly used antimicrobials, in rectal swab samples show the potential threat dogs may pose to public health in the study area.Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Dog; Ethiopia; Prevalence; Risk factor; Salmonell

Prevalence, organ distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from chickens purchased from markets in selected districts of West Shoa, Ethiopia

Salmonella is one of the major causes of heavy losses in chicken and foodborne diseases worldwide. The current study was conducted from  November 2015 to May 2016 to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates in chickens. Chickens (n=205) were purchased from local markets of five selected districts of West Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Following clinical examination, chicken were euthanized and 2-3 ml of blood sample was collected immediately. Then after postmortem examination, samples were collected from the liver, kidney, ovary, and spleen. The slide agglutination test was used to assess the seroprevalence of Salmonella antibodies. Isolation of Salmonella was performed according to the ISO-6579 procedure. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (using 13 antimicrobial drugs) following the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The seroprevalence of Salmonella antibodies was 63.5% (95% CI: 55.9-70.5). The isolation rate of Salmonella was 19.0% (95% CI: 13.9-20.1) at the chicken level and 7.3% (95% CI: 5.5-9.4) at the organ level. The detection rate was 11.2%, 7.0%, 6.1%, and 4.4% for spleen, liver, ovary, and kidney, respectively. The majority of the Salmonella isolates were susceptible to norfloxacin (97.4%) and chloramphenicol (92.3%). All the 39 isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, tetracycline, and nitrofurantoin. Three multidrug resistance patterns to six antimicrobial classes were observed. Four isolates were resistant to five antimicrobial classes. Therefore, regular  surveillance of Salmonella and its antimicrobial resistance is needed for a better understanding of the epidemiological dynamics. Awareness creation for chicken farmers about improving farming practices and the risks of antimicrobial resistance warrants special attention. Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility; Chicken; Prevalence; Salmonella; Ethiopi

Prevalence, risk factors and antibiogram of Escherichia coli isolated from dogs in Ambo, Gojo and Bako towns of Oromia region, Ethiopia

Dogs are a potential reservoir for Escherichia coli and other zoonotic bacterial pathogens posing the risk of infection to humans and other animals. A crosssectional study was used to collect 438 rectal swab samples from apparently healthy dogs of Ambo, Gojo, and Bako towns of West Shewa Zone with the objectives of investigating the prevalence, risk factors and antibiogram of E. coli. A questionnaire survey was administered at the household level to collect data on potential risk factors to acquire E. coli infection. Prevalence was determined by using standard bacteriological culture techniques. Further  confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of E. coli using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method were  conducted using Automated Phoenix Machine. The overall prevalence of E. coli was found to be 24.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]:20.26-28.49%). The isolation rate of E. coli was the highest in Bako 31.01%, followed by Gojo 30.99% and Ambo 18.49% towns.  Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that there was a significant association between E. coli prevalence and towns and Kebeles (P<0.05). However, age, sex, the presence of other domestic animals in the household, types of the housing system, educational level of the dogs’ owners, and type of feed provided to the dogs did not significantly correlate with the isolation of E. coli (P > 0.05). E. coli isolates were pan-susceptible to amikacin, ertapenem, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, netilmicin, ampicillin, piperacillin, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and meropenem. A low level of resistance was found to aztreonam, ceftriaxone, (each 13.95%), cefazolin (22.73%), gentamicin (11.90%), and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (6.97%). E. coli isolates showed multidrug resistance to aztreonam, cefazolin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (14.0%). This demonstrated E. coli prevalence and moderately low antimicrobial resistance  suggests the possible risk of infection of humans. Therefore, raising public awareness about zoonotic canine disease prevention measures and good hygienic practices are essential.. Keywords: Antibiogram, Dog, Escherichia coli, Ethiopia, Prevalence, Risk facto

Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157 isolated from cow milk and milk products, Ethiopia

Abstract Escherichia coli is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli and E. coli O157 in milk and milk products and hygienic practices in West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia. Five hundred fifty-six milk samples comprising 421 udder milk, 57 bulk tank milk, and 78 milk products were investigated. Moreover, a questionnaire was administered to 145 participants to assess hygienic practices. A standard microbiological procedure was used to detect E. coli and E. coli O157. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Petri film plates were used to enumerate the coliform in raw bulk tank milk. Farm and animal-level E coli prevalence were estimated and association with risk factors was assessed. Escherichia coli was detected in 33.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 29.9–37.9%) of the samples, of which only one isolate (0.2%) was E. coli O157. Escherichia coli contamination was higher in bulk tank samples (47.4%; 95% CI 34.0–61.0%) than in udder milk (34.7%; CI 30.1–39.4%), cottage cheese (27.0%; 95% CI 14.6–43.9%), and yoghurt 10.5% (95% CI 2.9–24.8%). For the animal-level E. coli contamination, only the study area was identified as a risk factor. Risk factors such as types of milk containers, udder washing practices, hygiene, and management systems were associated with both farm-level and milk products E. coli contamination. Most (59.0%) of the farmers practice udder washing only before milking and the remaining did not practice udder washing at all. The mean coliform count in raw bulk tank milk was higher than the international standard (4.09 log10 CFU/ml). All the 42 E. coli isolates tested were multidrug resistant. The occurrence of E. coli is high, while that of E. coli O157 is too low. The milk-handling practices are poor in the study areas. The high prevalence of E. coli, as well as the high coliform count and higher multi-drug resistance may pose risk to public health and food safety. Therefore, proper hygienic practices throughout the milk chain as well as rational drug use are advised

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Antibiogram of Nontyphoidal Salmonella from Beef in Ambo and Holeta Towns, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background. Salmonella has been recognized as a major cause of food-borne illness associated with the consumption of food of animal origin. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to May 2018 in Ambo and Holeta towns to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from raw beef samples from abattoirs, butchers, and restaurants in Ambo and Holeta towns, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods. A total of 354 beef samples were collected from abattoirs, butchers, and restaurants. Salmonella isolation and identification were carried out using standard bacteriological methods recommended by the International Organization for Standardization. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. Besides, a structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and potential risk factors for contamination of meat. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used for data analyses. Results. Of the total 354 meat samples examined, 20 (5.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5–8.6) were positive for Salmonella. Two serotypes belonging to S. typhimurium (11 isolates) and I:4,5,12: i:- (9 isolates) were identified. The Salmonella detection rate in abattoirs, butchers, and restaurants was 4.2% (5/118), 8.5% (10/118), and 4.2% (5/118), respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that 40%, 30%, and 20% of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to azithromycin, amoxicillin, and ceftriaxone, respectively. The odds of Salmonella isolation when meat handlers are illiterate were 7.8 times higher than those when they are educated to the level of secondary and above (P=0.032). Similarly, the likelihood of Salmonella isolation was 6.3 and 7.6 times higher among workers of butcher and restaurants, respectively, who had no training (P=0.003) and no knowledge (P=0.010) on food safety and hygiene. Conclusions. The study showed widespread multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates in the study areas. Therefore, raw meat consumption and indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs should be discouraged. Provision of food safety education for meat handlers and further surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant isolates are suggested

Occurrence and Antibiogram of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in Raw Beef and Hygienic Practices in Abattoir and Retailer Shops in Ambo Town, Ethiopia

Foodborne infections are widespread and growing public health problems in the world. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 : H7 is one of the most significant foodborne pathogens. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence and antibiogram of E. coli O157 : H7 from raw beef as well as hygienic and sanitary practices of meat handling in abattoir and retailer shops. Systematic random sampling technique and census methods were used to collect samples from abattoir and retailer shops, respectively. All tryptone soya broth preenriched carcass samples were subcultured onto MacConkey agar. Then, the bacterium confirmed as Escherichia coli using biochemical tests was streaked onto Sorbitol-MacConkey agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs. Escherichia coli O157 : H7 was confirmed by latex agglutination kit. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 isolates was done against 13 antimicrobials. Hygiene and sanitation data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and observational checklist. Pearson Chi-square and Fisher’s exact two-tailed tests were performed and differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Out of 197 meat samples, 23.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.6–29.9%) and 9.1% (95% CI: 5.5–14.1%) were contaminated with Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157 : H7, respectively. There was a significant variation in the occurrence of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 between retailer shops (19.1%) and abattoir (7.2%) (P = 0.03). The study revealed that the municipal abattoir and retailer shops in Ambo town did not adhere to the required sanitation and hygienic standards. All Escherichia coli O157 : H7 isolates were susceptible to norfloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, and ceftazidime. However, all isolates were resistant to amoxicillin. Multidrug resistance was widespread and was found in 66.3% of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 isolates. The occurrence of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 was high. Therefore, fulfilling national and international meat safety requirements, training and monitoring of meat handlers, and rational use of antimicrobials are recommende