Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Enteritidis in Raw Chicken Meat of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract

Foodborne zoonotic Salmonella is transmitted through contaminated meat, milk, and eggs. This study is aimed at investigating the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from raw chicken meat in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Two hundred raw chicken meat samples were aseptically collected from 20 retail markets located in Dhaka City, and the isolated Salmonella species were identified based on their morphological, cultural, biochemical, and molecular characterization by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer sets of the InvA and Enteritidis-specific STM3098 gene were used for the PCR detection of Salmonella species and S. Enteritidis, respectively. The isolates were then screened for AMR phenotypically and the presence of the tetracycline resistance (TetA) gene. The prevalence of Salmonella species and S. Enteritidis was 22.5% (n=45/200) and 18.5% (n=37/200), respectively. However, the prevalence was constant across all the sample markets (p>0.05). Tetracycline, amoxicillin, and ampicillin resistance was phenotypically present in all isolates (100%). Furthermore, approximately 70%, 49%, and 30% of S. Enteritidis showed resistance against erythromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. However, S. Enteritidis were sensitive to gentamicin (86.5%), meropenem (64.9%), ciprofloxacin (62.2%), and ceftriaxone (59.5%). The TetA gene, which causes AMR against tetracycline, was shown to be present in all phenotypically resistant Salmonella species. Multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) ranged between 0.3 and 0.8. Overall, multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella Enteritidis emerged in the chicken meat along with the presence of a resistance gene that is a threat to human health. Therefore, action must be taken to stop the spread of AMR.