Isolation of Salmonella from poultry droppings and other environmental sources in Awka, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
A survey of Salmonella contamination of poultry droppings used as manure, retail fresh beef, fresh beef retailers' aprons and fresh beef retail tables, was carried out.


METHODS
A total of 120 samples of poultry droppings collected from five poultry farms, 96 fresh beef samples, 96 beef retailers' aprons and 96 fresh beef retail tables were examined for the presence of Salmonella species.


RESULTS
Different Salmonella serotypes were isolated from all the sources. Salmonella paratypi A had an isolation rate of 12.5% from poultry droppings, 4.2% from fresh beef, and 2.1% and 4.2% from meat retailers' aprons and tables respectively. Other serotypes isolated from the sources included S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. gallinarum, S. pullorum, S. typhi and S. agama. Salmonella typhi was not isolated from poultry droppings throughout the survey.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to create more environmental and personal hygiene awareness among the Nigerian populace, especially among food vendors.
Orji
Mike Uche
MU
Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria. mykorji@yahoo.com
Onuigbo
Henry C
HC
Mbata
Theodore I
TI
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003020:Clothing; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D008372:Manure / Q000382:microbiology; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D009549:Nigeria; D011200:Poultry; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D008372:Manure