Prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity profile of extended spectrum beta -lactamase producing Salmonella enterica in sun-dried meat (Kundi)

Background: Zoonotic and multidrug resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Salmonella enterica found in sun-dried meat (kundi) can contribute to the increased chances of infections and multidrug resistance in humans.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of ESBL- Salmonella enterica isolated from sun-dried meat.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 sun-dried meat samples from open markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. Isolation and characterisation was carried out using the ISO 6579-1:2017 protocol. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of 21 ESBL- Salmonella enterica isolates against Carbapenems (10µg), Cefotaxime (30µg), Ceftazidime (30µg), Tetracyclines (30µg), Gentamicin (10µg), and Tigecycline (10µg) was performed by disc diffusion method. Multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) values were also calculated.

Results: The prevalence of Salmonella enterica was 11% (42/384). 21 isolates were confirmed to be ESBL- Salmonella enterica and were selected for antibiotic susceptibility testing. 100% of the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin 21(100), Cefotaxime 21(100), and Ceftazidime 21(100%). 95% and 81% were resistant to Meropenem 20(95) and Tetracycline 17(81) respectively, while 100% and 90% of the isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin 20 (100) and Tigecycline 19 (90) respectively. All isolates were multidrug-resistant, with MARI values ranging from 0.57 to 0.86.

Conclusion: Resistance to Carbapenems and Tigecycline in this study raises concern about the circulation of Carbapenemase- and ESBL-producing strains of Salmonella enterica within the food chain. The presence of multidrug resistance ESBL- Salmonella enterica recorded for this study showed that sun-dried meat hosted resistant strains of ESBL Salmonella enterica in the study area and it indicate an important public health problem. To curtail this alarming signal, there is need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, ensure routine food safety surveillance, and adopt one health strategies to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria.