Occurrence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in cattle carcass and contact surfaces in Kwata slaughterhouse, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 12-05-2020)

9. Occurrence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in cattle carcass and contact surfaces in Kwata slaughterhouse, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Uju Catherine Okafor, Simeon Chibuko Okafor and Akwoba Joseph Ogugua

International Journal of One Health, 6(1): 49-55

Uju Catherine Okafor: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Simeon Chibuko Okafor: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Akwoba Joseph Ogugua: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/IJOH.2020.49-55

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Article history: Received: 29-12-2019, Accepted: 09-04-2020, Published online: 12-05-2020

Corresponding author: Akwoba Joseph Ogugua

E-mail: ogugua.akwoba@unn.edu.ng

Citation: Okafor UC, Okafor SC, Ogugua AJ (2020) Occurrence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in cattle carcass and contact surfaces in Kwata slaughterhouse, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, Int. J. One Health, 6(1): 49-55.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Contamination of meat with Salmonella could result in food-borne disease outbreaks among the consumers. However, there is a dearth of data assessing the presence of Salmonella in beef in Anambra State. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella in beef and slaughter/processing facilities in Kwata slaughterhouse.

Materials and Methods: Swab samples (200) randomly collected were cultured for the isolation of Salmonella and the isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test. Data obtained were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance with p< 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 200 samples cultured, 33.5% (67/200) yielded Salmonella isolates. The mean Salmonella load (colony-forming unit [CFU]/cm²) for different contact surfaces (before and after contact with carcasses) was as follows: Slaughter floor, 1.1×10¹⁰±1.1×10^6a and 1.0×10¹⁰±1.1×10^6b; display table, 1.1×10¹⁰±11.1×10^6a and 1.0×10¹⁰±1.1×10^6b; washing bucket 1.01×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6a and 0.8×10¹⁰±0.1×10^6b; knife, 1.1×10¹⁰±1.10×10^6a and 1×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6b; boot, 1.1×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6a and 1.0×10¹⁰±1.10×10^6b; file, 1.1×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6a and 1.0×10¹⁰±0.1×10^6b; and wheelbarrow, 1.1×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6a and 1.01×10¹⁰±0.11×10^6b. Salmonella counts decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the presented order from slaughter floor to wheelbarrow after contact with carcasses. On the other hand, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in washing water Salmonella counts before and after (0.7×10¹⁰±0.10×10^6a and 1.0×10¹⁰±1.0×10^6b CFU/100 ml) carcasses wash. To each of the antimicrobials tested, the percentage of the 67 isolates found resistant was as follows: ciprofloxacin, 25.4%; ofloxacin, 27%; ceftriaxone, 35.8%; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 88.1%; chloramphenicol, 59.7%; gentamicin, 34.3%; streptomycin, 49.3%; nalidixic acid, 49.3%; trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 76%; nitrofurantoin, 89.6%; and ampicillin, 100%.

Conclusion: Antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella were isolated from beef and slaughter/processing facilities in Anambra State. This underscores the need for a coordinated one health approach for the improvement of hygienic standard during slaughter/processing in the slaughterhouse surveyed, to limit meat contamination and hence safeguard human health.

Keywords: beef, contact surfaces, Kwata slaughterhouse, resistance, Salmonella.