Antimicrobial Resistance and Characterization of Salmonellae Isolated From Chicken Meat and Its Products in Mansoura City, Egypt

Abstract

Purpose:This research aimed to evaluate the rate of resistance to antimicrobials and the recognition of Salmonella strains virulence-related genes in chicken meat and its products collected from various shops for poultry, and supermarkets with varying degrees of hygiene in Mansoura City, Egypt.

Methods: Three hundred chicken meat and its products samples were streaked on XLD agar plates followed by biochemical and serological identification of the isolates. 43 isolates from all examined samples were identified as Salmonella, assayed for susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials by the single diffusion method.

Results: The antimicrobial resistance percentages for the Salmonella isolates was the highest for streptomycin (100%) and lowest for gentamicin (2.3%). Out of the forty three isolates of Salmonella, thirty six (83.72%) displayed multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) for 3 or more antimicrobials. PCR identification of virulence genes for Salmonella strains showed that S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium,S. papuana,S.infantis, andS.virchowserovars were positive for stn, hilA and fimH genes. S. kentucky, S. wingrove, andS. bargnyserovars were positiveforhilA and fimH genes. S. tamaleserovarwas found to be positive forfimHandstngenes. S.anatumserovarwas found to be positive forhilAandstngenes. S. larochelleserovar wasfound to be positive forfimH gene. S. typhimurium, S. kentucky, S. enteritidis, S. tamale, S. papuana,S. wingrove, S. anatum, S. virchow, and S. larochelleserovars were positive for sopAgene.

Conclusion: The higher contamination of different chicken meat and its products with multidrug-resistant Salmonella indicates improper hygienic measures. Also, the higher MAR index and presence ofvirulence-related genes in Salmonella isolates has high risk potential for consumers.