International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Impact Factor (2012): 3.358 Volume 3 Issue 8, August 2014 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Antibiotic susceptibility in Salmonella species isolated from asymptomatic food handlers in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya Zeddy Yegon 1 , M. Yegon 2 1 Department of Animal Health and Production, Baraton College P.O. Box 631-30300 Kapsabet, Kenya. 2 Department of Agricultural Biosystems and Economics, University of Kabianga P.O. Box 2030-20200 Kericho, Kenya. Abstract: Salmonella cause a wide range of diseases in diverse hosts ranging from gastroenteritis, enteric fever and bacteraemia. These infections can lead to a convalescent lifetime carrier status/asymptomatic carriers. The occurrence of emerging resistant Salmonella strains is evident. The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella. Among the asymptomatic carriers who work within the hotel industry in Westlands, Nairobi. A cross sectional laboratory based design was employed. 400 stool samples were used. Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar (XLD) and Mac Conkey agar both selective and differential media for isolation of Salmonella sp were used. Serotyping and biochemical test were conducted for the confirmation of strains. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was employed to test susceptibility of the isolated Salmonella to antibiotics commonly used in animal and human health. Data analysis was by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and descriptive statistical methods. A total of 6 serotypes were isolated. A significant variation in inhibition zone sizes of salmonella under the commonly used drugs was observed. F=19.48 while p≤0.05, thus significant difference in their effectiveness. A drug susceptibility of 81.8% was observed. Multi-drug resistance of 37.5% was observed with four (4) different antimicrobial resistance profiles. Results from Ampicillin and Amox-clav showed more resistance among the Salmonella isolates. Keywords: Salmonella, antibiotics, drug resistance, food handlers, asymptomatic. 1. Introduction There are two types of Salmonella associated with the human host, non-typhoid Salmonella and typhoid Salmonella. Non-typhoid Salmonella is more frequently experienced in developing countries as compared to the developed countries, it can affect as many as 21.5 million [14] individuals each year, especially where unhygienic conditions are likely to occur. Salmonellosis caused by non- typhoid Salmonella is considered as one of the most widespread and common food borne diseases. There is broad scientific consensus that the use of antibiotics in food animals on some occasions has detrimental effects on human health [4]. Food animals exposed to additives such as the antibiotics used for growth promotion may serve as a reservoir of resistant bacteria and resistance genes that may spread to the human population, thereby limiting the medical value of antimicrobial drugs [1]. 2. Literature Review Although salmonellosis is a self-limiting infection, antibiotics is used to cut short the length of illness [12]. Millions of human incidents are reported worldwide to cause thousands of deaths each year [13] especially among the young, immuno-compromised persons and the elderly whose immune systems are weak. Typhoid fever is known to be spread via faecal oral route through the contamination of water sources or food by faecal material of an infected person [8]. Therefore, asymptomatic food handlers and employees in catering departments of institutions can pose great danger of infecting their clientele. The antimicrobials currently widely regarded as most favourable for the management of Salmonella infections in adults is the group of fluoroquinolone. In young children the third generation cephalosporin which are given by injection are widely used for severe infections. Chloramphenicol, Ampicillin and Amoxicillin and Trimethoprim- Sulfamethoxazole is occasionally used as alternative drugs [14]. Resistance by Salmonella to fluoroquinolones has emerged in several countries as a result of using antibiotics for human treatment in the treatment of animals which are later used as a food source [6]. In addition, under dosage and misuse of antibiotics in the treatment of human infections has led to mutations in the bacterial genome, enabling the Salmonella to gain resistance to antibiotics that were once effective, posing a public health concern. In some cases, multi-drug resistance by bacteria is transferred through one coherent piece of DNA, referred to as a plasmid [14]. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella are now encountered frequently and the rates of multi-drug resistance have increased considerably in recent years [14]. A recent example is the global spread of a multi-drug resistant S. typhimurium phage type DT104 in animals and humans [5]. Paper ID: 02015410 1384