Abstract:
Food borne diseases related to unhygienic food handling practices remain a major public health problem
across the globe. The problem is severe in developing countries due to limitations in securing optimal
hygienic food handling practices. Data shows that an estimated 70% of cases of diarrheal diseases are
associated with the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Among these
microorganisms Salmonella are the major ones. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the
prevalence of Salmonella in Out-patientsof Alge Sach Health Center. A cross-sectional study was
conducted from September to November . A total of 71 stool specimens of both adult and pediatric
outpatients were collected, overnight enrichment with selenite F broth, cultured in to XLD agar media.
After 24hr incubation the media were examined for the presence of Salmonella colonies. Then the
isolates were confirmed by biochemical test. The drug resistance patterns of the isolates were evaluated
using galleries of nine commonly used antibiotics. The growth potential of Salmonella isolates in
selected traditional foods was assessed following standard methods. In the current study, 13(18.3%)
Salmonella. The prevalence of Salmonella are higher in children aged less than 10 years and youth aged
between 20-24.In the current drug susceptibility test ,Salmonella spp showed resistance to ampicillin
(100%) followed by tetracycline (47.4%) and nalidixic acid (26.3%).Multidrug resistance towards four
drugs was observed in both pathogens. In the challenge study the pathogens grow to their infective dose
in both gruel and firfir within 24hr (6.2 and 7.5log cfu/g). There was relatively greater fluctuation in pH
of gruel within 24 hr, 6.2 at 0 time and ends below pH 5 whereas steady increment in pH of inferior was
observed and reach to5.28 at the end of 24hr. In conclusion, this study showed that, these pathogens are
still public health problems. Therefore, there needs to be frequent monitory and evaluation system so as
to plan intervention strategies for at risk population in the area of problems regarding water sanitation
and hygienic food handling practice to minimize the burden posed by the diseases associated with
Salmonellosis.
