Introduction
Contamination of meat with Salmonella could result in food-borne disease outbreaks among the consumers. However, there is dearth of data assessing the presence of Salmonella in beef in Anambra State. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from beef and slaughter/processing facilities in Kwata slaughterhouse.
Methods
Swab samples (200), randomly collected were cultured for isolation of Salmonella and the isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test. Data obtained were analysed using T-test and ANOVA with p-values less than α (0.05) considered significant.
Results
Of the 200 samples cultured, 33.5% (67/200) yielded Salmonella isolates. The mean Salmonella load (CFU/cm2) for different contact surfaces (before and after contact with carcasses) were: slaughter floor, 1.1 x 1010 ± 1.1 x 106a and 1.0 x 1010 ± 1.1 x 106b; display table, 1.1 x 1010 ± 11.1 x 106a and 1.0 x 1010 ± 1.1 x 106b; washing bucket 1.01 x 1010 ± 1.0 x 106a and 0.8 x 1010 ± 0.1 x 106b; knife, 1.1 x 1010 ± 1.10 x 106a and 1 x 1010 ± 1.0 x 106b; boot, 1.1 x 1010 ± 1.0 x 106a and 1.0 x 1010 ± 1.10 x 106b; file, 1.1 x 1010 ± 1.0 x 106a and 1.0 x 1010 ± 0.1 x 106b and wheel barrow, 1.1 x 1010 ± 1.0 x 106a and 1.01 x 1010 ± 0.11 x 106b. Salmonella counts decreased significantly (p
Key words: Beef, Contact Surfaces, Kwata Slaughterhouse, Resistance, Salmonella
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