Abstract

Salmonella is an important zoonotic foodborne pathogen and poultry meat is considered as one of its major sources. This study evaluated Salmonella spp. detected in broiler chicken carcasses in Zambia. A total of 440 broiler neck skin samples were collected from 6 slaughter houses along the process line after evisceration and tested for Salmonella spp. Eleven samples (2.5%) were positive for Salmonella spp. The suspected isolates were serotyped according to White- Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the Sensititre broth microdilution method. Eight serovars of Salmonella enterica were confirmed namely; S. Bolton (2), S. Enteritidis (1), S. Texas (1), S. Liverpool (1), S. Chomeday (1), S. Mbandaka (1), S. Vellore (1), S. Montevideo (1). Two isolates were not typed completely giving results as S. enterica subsp. enterica O:4:Z and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica O:3,10:Y. Antimicrobial susceptibility showed a 20% multidrug resistance in which S. Vellore and S. Mbandaka were resistant to 5 antimicrobials namely Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim. S. Enteritidis, S. Bolton and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica O:3, 10:Y were resistant to the antimicrobial Colistin. 50% of the strains were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested. This study reported Salmonella spp. in broiler chickens that have not been reported before in Zambia and showed the presence of antimicrobial resistant strains.

Key words: Salmonella serovars, foodborne disease, broiler chicken, antimicrobial resistance.