ANTIBIOGRAMS AND RISK FACTORS OF SALMONELLA ISOLATES FROM LAYING HENS AND EGGS IN JIMMA TOWN, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract Objectives Salmonella is the most important causes of foodborne illness especially from poultry and poultry products. So the aim of this study was to carryout phenotypic characterization, antimicrobials susceptibility pattern and risk factors of salmonella isolates from farms and markets eggs, cloacae swabs of chickens and stool of egg collectors. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to September 2018. Samples were, processed; salmonella was isolated, Phenotypically identified by OmniLog and antimicrobials susceptibility were carried out. Result Over all; 11(2.65%) of salmonella enterica were phenotipically characterized out of 415 samples from farms egg content (n=83), farms eggshell (n=83), cloacae (n=83), market eggshell (n=83) and market egg contents (n=83) with 2.4%, 0%, 2.4%, 4.8% and 3.6% prevalence, respectively. Out of isolates, 8(72.72%) displayed multidrug resistance. All isolates showed susceptibility to Gentamicin, Kanamycin and Streptomycin. Lack of separating cracked eggs, washing hand, eggs stay longer unsold, and mixing excreta with feed were associated risk factors for salmonella presence (p-value<0.05). The presence of drug resistant salmonella enterica within egg/and chicken can pose serious health problem. Good hygienic practices are important to reduce risk factors of salmonella contamination.