Prevalence and antimicrobial resistant patterns of Salmonella organisms isolated from commercial birds reared in Umuahia, South-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The poultry industry plays an important role in the economy of every nation with poultry products contributing immensely to the protein needs of man. Infectious diseases pose a major challenge to the success of the poultry industry globally, especially in Africa. Salmonellosis is a major disease encountered in livestock production and has continued to be a major source of concern especially with the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolates from poultry reared in Umuahia. Cloacal swabs collected from 100 birds were screened for Salmonellae. Antibiogram was carried out using the disk diffusion method. A prevalence rate of 10% was recorded. All isolates were sensitive to Ofloxacin. Resistance to Augmentin, Amoxicillin and Co-trimoxazole was observed. This study reveals the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms that possibly maintain the problem of antimicrobial resistance in the populace.