Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Salmonella Isolates from Cattle dung in Dairy Farms within Sokoto Metropolis

Abstract

Accessing Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne disease worldwide and poses a substantial public health threat. The detection of any Salmonella serotype in food renders that product unsafe for human consumption. Among the major sources of these pathogenic bacteria are bovine faeces, particularly from dairy cattle. This study aimed to isolate and identify Salmonella species from faecal samples collected in dairy cattle farms within Sokoto metropolis and to determine their antibiotic resistance patterns. A total of 130 faecal samples were cultured on selective media, and presumptive Salmonella isolates were confirmed using standard biochemical tests. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in the samples was 6.1%. All confirmed isolates were subjected to susceptibility testing against eight commonly used antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method. Strikingly, 100% resistance was observed to Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline. These findings indicate that apparently healthy dairy cattle in Sokoto may serve as an important reservoir of multidrug-resistant Salmonella, with serious implications for food safety and public health.