PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA SPECIES IN PIG DROPPINGS IN UMUDIKE, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA.

Salmonella species like the non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are bacterial enteric pathogens associated with food animal reservoirs. The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella species in pig droppings in Umudike, Abia State. Twenty-five samples of fecal litters of pig were obtained from different pens and transported to the laboratory for microbiological examination. The samples were inoculated on Nutrient agar, Mueller Hinton agar, Tetrathionate broth and xylose deoxycholate lysine agar. The isolates were characterized based on gram staining, colonial morphology and biochemical tests and were subjected to different commercial antibiotic disk to ascertain their susceptibility profile. Out of the Twenty-five (25) samples of fecal litters of pig obtained, Salmonella was isolated from eight (8) samples and were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility drugs using disc diffusion method. Salmonella sp. was isolated from 8 out of 25 samples which shows a 32% occurrence rate of the isolate. The isolates were most susceptible to Gentamicin and Ofloxacin (100%), and was most resistant to Ceftazidime (100%). These findings emphasize the urgent need for continuous surveillance, controlled use of antimicrobials, and strict farm hygiene to reduce the spread of Salmonella and safeguard public health.