Abstract:
Owning dogs have benefits such as companionship, physical activity and protection. However
the intimate relationship between dogs and their owners has the potential risk of human
exposure to bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella. Dogs are heavily associated with
asymptomatic carriage of Salmonella and there have been several reports on transmission of
Salmonella from dogs to humans. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and
distribution of Salmonella serotypes in healthy dogs, to investigate antimicrobial resistance
profile and assess public knowledge, attitude and practice on dog related managements and
zoonotic canine diseases. A total of 360 faecal swabs were investigated for Salmonella
shedding by using culture method, PCR, serotyping and phage typing, and the Salmonella
carriage rate was 42 (11.67%). Fourteen different serotypes were detected and the most
predominant were S. Bronx (16.67%) and S. Newport (14.28%), followed by S. Typhimrium
(9.52%), S. Indiana (9.52%), S. Kentucky (9.52%), S. Saintpaul (9.52%) and S. Virchow
(9.52%). Other serotypes were S. Anatum (4.76%), S. Haifa (4.76%), S. Braenderup (2.38%)
and S. Muenchen (2.38%). Salmonella Bronx, S. Chailey, S. Indiana, S. Minnesota and S.
Tarshyne were reported for the first time in Ethiopia. Statistically significant association
(p<0.05) was found between Salmonella infection status and symptom of diarrhea during the
past 60 days, sleeping place of the dogs, cleaning frequency of dog’s feces and drinking
contaminated water. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was done for a panel of 16 antimicrobials
and the result revealed that 18 (42.85%) of the isolates were resistant to one or more
antimicrobials tested. Twenty six percent of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, 23.80%
to amoxicillin+clavulanic acid, doxycycline and oxytetracycline. Most of the isolates were
susceptible to nalidixic Acid (97.62%), gentamicin (97.62%), kanamycin (97.62%) and
ceftriaxone (95.23%). All (100%) of the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and
amikacin. Multiple resistance (to two or more antimicrobials) were detected in 16 (38.1%) of
the isolates. All S. Newport isolates were multiple antimicrobial resistant and one S. Indiana,
Two S. Saintpaul and one S. Haifa isolates were resistant to more than five antimicrobials.
The knowledge, attitude and practices of dog owners towards pet husbandry, pet contact and
zoonotic canine disease were found insufficient. In conclusion, the current study revealed that
asymptomatic carriage rate of Salmonella in apparently healthy dogs in Addis Ababa is high,
suggesting the possible high risk of infection of human population in close contact with these
dogs. Therefore it is important to create public awareness on pet husbandry, zoonotic canine
diseases, prevention measures and good hygiene practices.
