Serotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella isolates from pigs at slaughter in Kenya

Authors

  • Gideon M. Kikuvi Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi
  • Jackson N. Ombui University of Nairobi
  • Eric S. Mitema University of Nairobi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.446

Keywords:

Serotypes, Antimicrobial Resistance, Salmonella, Pigs, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Salmonellosis is considered one of the most widespread food-borne zoonoses in industrialized as well as developing countries. The presence of Salmonella in food animals at slaughter and the consequent cross-contamination of edible carcass tissues present a significant food safety hazard.

Methodology: Samples were collected from randomly selected pigs at the Ndumbuini abattoir in Nairobi. Isolates were confirmed to be Salmonella by biochemical tests and characterised by serotyping, phage typing and plasmid analysis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight antimicrobials were determined and the resistant isolates were screened for resistance genes by PCR.

Results: Sixteen (13.8%) of 116 samples were positive for Salmonella. Three Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars, namely Saintpaul, Braenderup, and Heidelberg were identified, S. Saintpaul being predominant. Antimicrobial resistance was found in 35.7% of the isolates. The S. Heidelberg isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested. Multidrug resistance was found in 7.1% of the Salmonella isolates. Plasmids were only detected in S. Heidelberg. Ampicillin resistance was based on expression of a blaTEM gene, while chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and tetracycline resistances were encoded by the genes catA1, strA, and tet(A), respectively.

Conclusions: Pigs may serve as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella and slaughterhouse cross-contamination of pork may be a food safety risk.

Author Biographies

Gideon M. Kikuvi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi

Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases

Lecturer

Jackson N. Ombui, University of Nairobi

Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology

Senoir Lecturer

Eric S. Mitema, University of Nairobi

Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology

Professor

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Published

2010-03-09

How to Cite

1.
Kikuvi GM, Ombui JN, Mitema ES (2010) Serotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella isolates from pigs at slaughter in Kenya. J Infect Dev Ctries 4:243–248. doi: 10.3855/jidc.446

Issue

Section

Brief Original Articles