Prevalence And Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella Spp. In Poultry Meat From Selected Processing Plants In Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Poultry meat constitutes a global food supply. Salmonella spp., a major foodborne disease, poses economic and public health risks. Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella spp. have consistently posed a challenge to antibiotic therapy. There is a dearth of information on the prevalence of ESBL Salmonella in poultry processing plants in Ibadan, Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of ESBL-producing Salmonella spp. in poultry processing plants in Ibadan, Nigeria, and determined its antibiotic resistance pattern.

Methods: A total of 153 chicken swab samples were collected from processed birds at packaging points in five processing plants with high processing capacity (2000-6000) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Isolation of Salmonella spp. was performed using standard procedures. Antibiotic sensitivity testing, ESBL isolates, and data analysis were conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, the double disc diffusion test, and descriptive statistics, respectively.

Results: Overall, the prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 56 (36.6%). The antibiotic susceptibility profile revealed a high prevalence of multidrug resistance, MDR (64.3%; 36/56), and extensive drug resistance, XDR (20/56; 35.7%), among all Salmonella spp. isolates. The prevalence of ESBL Salmonella spp. and non-ESBL Salmonella spp. was 2.6% (4/153) and 34% (52/153), respectively. Furthermore, all ESBL Salmonella (100.0% 4/4) isolates were MDR and XDR, while 57.7% (30/52) and 28.8% (15/52) of non-ESBL Salmonella spp. were MDR and XDR, respectively. Five different antibiotypes of non-ESBL Salmonella were found, with MEM-TE-SXT-PEF (54%; 28/52) being predominant. However, ESBL Salmonella spp. presented one antibiotype (MEM-CAZ-CTX-SXT-TE-PEF) (100%; 4/4) resistance to all antibiotics tested.

Conclusion: The high rate of MDR and XDR ESBL Salmonella isolates highlights the need for control over antibiotic use. A 50% reduction in antimicrobial use in food by 2030 and the development of new therapies like bacteriophages, peptides, and probiotics are crucial. Enforcing rational antibiotic use, strict hygiene, and national surveillance systems are essential to combating antimicrobial resistance.