The Prevalence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella And Escherichia Coli Species in Live and Dressed Poultry in Metropolitan Accra

Abstract

Qualitative studies on enteropathogenic bacteria in chicken on the Ghanaian market, using Accra Metropolitan Area, as a unit case, was assessed. A total of 184 samples, made up of 97 cloacal swabs from 3 different farms and 87 surface rinses of carcasses from different retail outlets were examined for the presence of Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Escherichia coli. Out of the 97 cloacal swabs, 14 (14.4%) were positive for Campylobacter, 7 (7.2%) for Salmonella, 16 (16.5%) for E. coli and none for Shigella. For the 87 carcasses, none was positive for Campylobacter, 6 (6.8%) positive for' Salmonella, 6 (6.8%) positive for Shigella and 5 (5.7%) positive for E. coli. Four different Campylobacter serovars were isolated. These are C. jejuni 1 (42.8%), C. upsaliensis (28.5%), C. jejuni var doylei (21.5%) and C. jejuni 2 (7.2%). Four different serovars of Salmonella were also identified; they are Serovar 09 (28.4%), 021 (28.4%), 08 (15.3%) and 018 (7.6%). Two different Shigella serovars namely Shigella boydii (57.1%) and Shigella flexneri (42.9) were isolated. Twelve different serovars of E. coli were identified. These were E. coli 0158 (14.3%), 0125 (14.3%), 025 (9.5%), 028ac (9.5%), 0159 (9.5%), 015 (9.5%), 0126 (9.5%), 063 (4.8%), 0143 (4.8%), 026 (4.8%), 078 (4.8%), 0164 (4.8%). None of the E. coli strains isolated tested positive for ST-h, ST-p, and LT3 toxin production using DNA - DNA hybridization technique. Antibiogram tests showed that fosfomycin, minocyclin, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, penicillin, amoxycillin, erythromycin and kanamycin were effective against the Campylobacter strains isolated. The strains of Salmonella showed varied reactions to the different antibiotics with fosfomycin being the most effective. Fosfomycin and chloramphenicol were effective against the Shigella strains. Nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, ceftrioxone, amoxycillin and fosfomycin showed varied effectiveness against the E. coli strains. Tetracycline was ineffective against all the microbial strains isolated from the live birds. This could be attributed to its presence in the feed thereby exposing the birds constantly to it during feeding. This possibly may have resulted in the survival of only resistant strains. Findings showed that chicken available on the market could be a source of bacterial enteropathogens. Also, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of the enteric pathogens isolated from the various retail outlets. Regular monitoring and proper handling practices are therefore needed to avert major outbreaks of food borne illnesses due to chicken and its products. The resistance of strains to some common antibiotics, such as tetracycline, is also disturbing. The withdrawal of such antibiotics, as constituents of poultry diets, is recommended.