Abstract:
Background: Foodborne salmonellosis remains a major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis globally, while antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella poses a growing public health threat. In conflict-affected settings, weakened food safety systems, disrupted veterinary services, and informal food markets may increase the spread of resistant pathogens. Evidence from such settings remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella spp. in raw cow milk sold in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based study was conducted using 150 raw milk samples collected from three major markets in the Maiduguri Metropolitan. Isolation and identification of Salmonella followed ISO 65791:2017 procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 antibiotics from eight classes was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Data were analysed at a 5% significance level.
Results: Salmonella was detected in 28 of 150 samples, yielding a prevalence of 18.7% (95% CI: 13.0–25.8). Monday Market had the highest prevalence (28.0%), followed by Bulumkutu (16.0%) and Gamboru (12.0%), with no significant differences (p = 0.081). High resistance was observed to ampicillin (85.7%), tetracycline (78.6%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (75.0%), nalidixic acid (71.4%), cefoxitin (67.9%), chloramphenicol (53.6%), and ciprofloxacin (46.4%). Ceftriaxone resistance was 35.7%, with 70% of these isolates producing ESBL. Of the isolates, 78.6% were multidrug resistant, while resistance to meropenem (3.6%), colistin (7.1%), and azithromycin (14.3%) remained low.
Conclusions: Nearly one in five raw milk samples contained multidrug-resistant Salmonella, highlighting a significant food safety risk. Strengthening One Health surveillance, improving milk hygiene and pasteurization, and regulating antimicrobial use in livestock are essential to reduce transmission in conflict-affected settings.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance, raw milk, food safety, One Health, Nigeria.
Biography:
To be updated shortly..
Copyright 2024 Mathews International LLC All Rights Reserved
