Prevalence, multi-drug resistance, and public health risks of Salmonella Enterica in poultry farms and markets of Nekemte, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Information from the abstract

Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen associated with poultry and poultry products, posing significant public health risks and contributing to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. In Nekemte, Western Ethiopia, data on its molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance pattern remains scarce. To determine the prevalence, molecular characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, risk factors, and public health implications of Salmonella spp . among layers, eggs, and poultry farm workers in Nekemte, Western Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to December 2023. A total of 285 samples: Cloacal swabs (n = 66), eggshells (n = 102), egg contents (n = 102), and attendants’ hand swabs (n = 15), were collected and processed using ISO 6579:2012 standard. Conventional PCR targeting the invA gene (389 bp) was used to confirm isolates, and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility was tested against ten drugs using the Kirby-Bauer method. Additionally, a structured questionnaire (n = 200) assessed management practices and public health risks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05). The overall Salmonella prevalence was 11.2% (32/285), with the highest detection rate observed in eggshells (19.61%). Conventional PCR confirmed 81.82% (9/11) of the processed isolates as Salmonella enterica . Significant risk predictors identified in the multivariable model included the SASSO T44 breed (AOR = 6.23, 95% CI: 1.85–20.96), lack of proper hand washing after toilet use (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03–0.44), antibiotic treatment of chickens (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05–0.59), prolonged storage of unsold eggs (AOR = 40.82, 95% CI: 1.81–92.3), and failure to separate cracked eggs (AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00–0.37). High antibiotic resistance was observed against penicillin and ampicillin (66.7% each), while all isolates remained susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, amoxicillin, and chloramphenicol. Multidrug resistance (MDR) to ≥ 3 classes occurred in 55.6% (5/9) of the S. enterica isolates. Furthermore, questionnaire data revealed that 24.5% of respondents consumed raw eggs (with 35.4% believing they hold medicinal value), and 42.8% of those consumers experienced subsequent gastrointestinal symptoms. The detection of MDR S. enterica across poultry, eggs, and farm workers in Nekemte, combined with risky raw egg consumption habits and poor hygienic practices, highlights a serious food safety and public health risk. Strengthening farm biosecurity, implementing regular chicken testing, enforcing prudent veterinary antibiotic stewardship, improving retail egg-handling practices, and enhancing community health awareness are critical interventions needed to mitigate these zoonotic risks.

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Related topics: Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology · Food Safety and Hygiene · Antimicrobial agents and applications