Salmonellosis is a major threat facing the poultry industry globally. This study was conducted to investigate the level of Salmonella contaminations and determine the resistance pattern of isolates obtained from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, a transition state between southern and northern regions of Nigeria. A total of 900 samples were collected between January and August 2017, from the poultry environment, apparently including healthy and dead birds. Salmonella was isolated and identified using standard bacteriological methods. All presumptive Salmonella isolates were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using 11 different antimicrobials. A total of 58 (6.4%) Salmonella isolates were obtained, and the isolation rate was only statistically significant ( p < 0.05) in live birds. The isolates comprised of 13 serovars. The three predominant serovars, Salmonella enterica ser. 6.7:d:- (29.0%), Salmonella Agama (28.0%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (16.0%), were isolated from all three sample types. Rare serovars like Salmonella Albany, Salmonella Colindale, Salmonella Istanbul, Salmonella Larochelle, Salmonella Nigeria and Salmonella Orion were also isolated in this study. A high frequency of resistance was generally observed with all the isolates exhibiting a total of (100%) resistance to ampicillin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime. This study documents the first predominant isolation of S. enterica ser. 6.7:d:- and S. Agama from chickens. It also documents the high frequency of fluoroquinolone and cephalosporins resistance of the isolates indicating the presence of selective pressure in the environment. Controls and targeted interventions against Salmonella and the frequent occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in chickens should be initiated to prevent the spread of this organism.

This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence and detection of virulence genes in Salmonella isolated from poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria. Ten commercial layer farms located in three senatorial districts of the state were sampled.

Salmonellosis is a major public health hazard globally. This study was designed to determine the antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella serovars isolated from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016 using a cross sectional approach. A total of 58 Salmonella isolates were serotyped, 13 different serovars were identified and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disc diffusion method. All the isolates (100%) exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. All of the isolates exhibited 100% resistance to ampicillin, 65.5% of the isolates showed resistance to cefotaxime while 63.8% of the isolates were resistant to either of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Low level of resistance was observed for neomycin (22.4%) compare to other antimicrobials. S. enterica ser. 4, 12, 27: z:-exhibited resistance to all antimicrobial agents. Considering the types of samples that were positive for Salmonella across different local government areas, frequencies of resistance were statistically significant only to gentamicin (P =0.016) in Ilorin west local government area, only nalidixic acid (P =0.014) in Irepodun local government area, only compound sulfonamide (P =0.002) in Asa local government area and streptomycin (P =0.025) in Ilorin-South local government area. The results indicated the relatively high resistance to the antimicrobial agents tested and the multi-drug-resistance among the Salmonella serovars. These observations pose therapeutic concerns on poultry farms in the study area and may serve as potential sources of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella transmission to the humans.

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