Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of <i>Salmonella enterica</i> Isolated from Chicken and Guinea Fowl in Burkina Faso

Consumption of contaminated poultry and poultry products by Salmonella is a public health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from slaughtered poultry. A total of 563 intestine samples from slaughtered chickens (n= 283) and guinea fowl (n=280) were collected from 7 open markets in 2 urban and 2 rural areas of Burkina Faso. The samples were processed for the isolation and identification of associated Salmonella using microbiological standard methods. The suspected colonies were subjected to biochemical tests and serotyped by slide agglutination test according to Kauffman-White scheme. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns of Salmonella were also investigated using commonly used antibiotics. Of the 563 intestines samples, 139 (24.69%) isolates were recovered, with 59/283 (20.84%) isolates from chicken and 80/280 (28.57%) isolates from guinea fowl. The successful serotyping of 109/139 isolates revealed 9 serotypes namely Typhimurium, Kentucky, Ouakam, Brancaster, Hato, Kaapstad, Essen, Chester, and Derby. Five strains were untypable and 15 belong to different serogroups such as B, M, E, D, F, and O. The serotypes Brancaster, Chester, Derby, Hato, and Typhimurium were found in chicken and guinea fowl. S. Kaapstad was detected only on guinea fowl and S. Essen, Kentucky and Ouakam on chicken. Serotype Derby (38.84%), Chester (11.51%) and Hato (10.07%), Typhimurium (8.63%) were the most prevalent. Out of the 139 isolates, 100% show resistance to at least one antibiotic (Erythromycin), while, 50 (35.97%) were multi-resistant. High sensitivity of isolates was recorded for Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Cephalexin, Sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim and Colistin Sulfate. The data confirm that poultry is a potential reservoir of Salmonella. This recommends good hygienic practices when producing poultry carcasses.