ABSTRACT
Chickens and chicken products such as eggs are abundant in the markets (Samaru, Zaria City, Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada and Dan Magaji) of Zaria. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella species from organs and faeces of chickens, the extent of tissue distribution of Salmonella species, the most common serotypes that invade and colonize the tissues of chickens in Zaria and the susceptibilities of the isolated Salmonella serotypes to commonly used antibiotics. Four hundred samples from 100 apparently healthy slaughtered adult local chickens in Zaria were examined for the presence of Salmonella. Salmonella were isolated and identified according to the techniques recommended by the World Health Organization: pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, selective plating, biochemical testing and serotyping. A total of 17 Salmonella isolates consisting of 10 different serotypes were identified. There was an overall Salmonella prevalence of 15%, and the isolates were distributed as follows, caecal content (12), liver (3), caecum (1) and gallbladder (1).The predominant serovars were S. Jedburgh (5), S. Typhimurium - DT29 (2), S. Derby (2) and S. enterica subsp. enterica gr. E (2). S. Typhimurium - NT (1), S. Agoueve (1), S. Takoradi (1), S. Ealing (1), S. Stanleyville (1) and S. Koenigstuhl (1) were also isolated. The 2 S. Derby, 1 S. enterica subsp. enterica gr. E and S. Stanleyville were resistant (23.53 %) to sulfamethoxazole, sulphonamide, kanamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Thirteen isolates (76.57 %) were sensitive to the panel of antibiotics used. There was a significant association (p = 0.000, p < 0.05) between organs and infection, and markets and infection (p = 0.003, p < 0.05). Chickens sold at retail markets in Zaria were infected with Salmonella organisms. Salmonella species were distributed in caecal contents, caecum, liver and gall bladder. The most common serotype was S. Jedburgh. Multidrug resistance patterns were observed in four isolates. The national and local health authorities should vii enforce the food hygiene regulations to reduce the spread of zoonotic and multidrug resistant Salmonella to humans. Public enlightenment programmes on the modes of transmission of Salmonella should be conducted by Human and Veterinary Public Health services. Further studies should be conducted to know the extent of distribution of Salmonella spp. in different areas of Kaduna State and the country at large