Salmonella in apparently healthy dogs: prevalence, Serotypes, antimicrobial resistance profile and Public perception on pet management and zoonotic Canine diseases, in addis ababa, Ethiopia

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.