Submission ID 131669
| Issue/Objective | Salmonella and Shigella species are major causes of bacterial gastroenteritis globally, with food animals serving as reservoirs. Abattoirs represent critical interfaces for zoonotic transmission due to close human-animal-environment interactions. In low-resource settings, poor antimicrobial stewardship and inadequate waste management practices may enhance the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella and Shigella across human, animal, and environmental samples, and assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to AMR among abattoir workers in Buea, Cameroon. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2024 in Buea. Human stool samples, cattle feces, and abattoir environmental waste were collected and processed using standard microbiological methods. Samples were pre-enriched, cultured on selective media, and identified using biochemical tests and the API 20E system. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against ten commonly used antibiotics. KAP data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. |
| Results | Out of 455 samples, Salmonella and Shigella were isolated in 7.0% (32/455) and 2.6% (12/455), respectively. The highest Salmonella prevalence was observed in environmental samples (12.4%), followed by cattle feces (6.8%) and humans (7.1%). High multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed, with 86.4% of isolates resistant to multiple antibiotics. Resistance was highest to ampicillin (100%), with variable resistance across aminoglycosides, carbapenems, and quinolones. Salmonella and Shigella showed MDR rates of 87.5% and 83.3%, respectively. KAP assessment revealed poor knowledge of AMR and inadequate hygiene and waste management practices among workers, although butchers demonstrated relatively higher awareness (p <0.05). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | environmental samples from the abattoir as a critical hotspot for AMR transmission. Poor KAP among workers, combined with unsafe waste disposal, increases the risk of environmental contamination and community spread. These findings reinforce the need for integrated One Health approaches targeting both behavioral and environmental drivers of AMR. This study demonstrates the circulation of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens in abattoirs and significant gaps in AMR awareness and waste management practices. Strengthening infection prevention, improving waste treatment, and promoting AMR education among abattoir workers are essential to reduce public health risks and support sustainable One Health interventions. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | TANYI PRIDE BOBGA University of Buea TABE ARREY MICHAEL Model Preparatory Initiative of Academics, Research, and Health (MOPIARH) |
