Prevalence ofSalmonellaInfection in Dogs in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity ofSalmonellafrom dogs in Maiduguri Metropolis were determined using standard bacteriological methods to assess the risk of possible transmission ofSalmonellainfection from dogs to humans. Of 119 samples,Salmonellawas isolated from 52 (43.7%). Males had higher prevalence of 50.0% compared with 34.7% in females(P<0.05). Dogs older than 24 months had higher prevalence of 61.0% and the lowest was seen in dogs aged 13–24 months(P<0.05). The prevalence of 31.8%, 41.2%, and 58.8% was observed in dogs aged 3–6, 10–12, and 7–9 months, respectively. High prevalence of 49.5% was observed in Mongrels, while Terrier and Alsatian breeds had 30.0% and 8.3%, respectively.Salmonellaisolates from Alsatian and Terrier breeds showed about 100% susceptibility to all the tested antimicrobials. Higher percentage of theSalmonellaisolates from Mongrels also showed susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (89.7%), amoxicillin (87.6%), vancomycin (86.6%), and chloramphenicol (84.5%). However about 50% of these isolates showed resistance to ofloxacin. The carrier status ofSalmonellais high among dogs especially Mongrels. Therefore good environmental hygiene, discouraging straying coupled with feeding of dogs with properly cooked and uncontaminated feeds was recommended to mitigate risk of human salmonellosis.