Prevalence of salmonella serotypes in Sokoto abattoir effluents and vegetables cultivated around the abattoir

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between Salmonella serotypes isolated from Sokoto abattoir effluents, discharged directly into nearby water bodies and Salmonella isolated from raw consumed vegetables cultivated and sold around the abattoir area known as ‘kara’ Market. A total of 250 samples were collected, 100 from five different points of the abattoir draining system and 150, from raw consumed vegetables (50 onions, 50 lettuce and 50 tomatoes) cultivated and sold in the abattoir area. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella serotypes by biochemical tests. Salmonella suspected isolate were confirmed by serotyping using commercially prepared O and H polyvalent antigens (Salmonella Sero Quick group Kit) obtained from Staten’s Serum Institut (SSI) Copenhagen, Denmark. This study has shown the occurrence and similarities between Salmonella serotypes in both abattoir effluents and vegetables with high frequency of occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium (19.5%), S. Enteriditis (15.3%) and other Salmonella serotypes isolated are S. Typhi (13.9%), S. Paratyphi A (8.3), S. Paratyphi C (13.9%), S. Derby (9.7%), S. Newport (6.9%) and S. Paratyphi B (12.5%). This study shows that S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis and other Salmonella serotypes from intestinal contents of slaughtered animals contaminates nearby water bodies and consequently vegetables cultivated in the area and this may account for frequent outbreak of gastroenteritis in the town.

Keywords: Prevalence, salmonella serotypes, Sokoto abattoir effluents, vegetables.