The foodborne diseases antimicrobial resistance development in food animals: A case of Salmonella isolates from diarrheic sheep in and around Gondar city, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background: In recent years, an increase in the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens especially foodborne zoonotic bacteria has been observed in several countries. As a result, fatality rates are increasing due to those resistant bacteria in both human and animal populations, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia where the risk of infection is high due to poor biosecurity measures, close animal-human interactions, and extensive use of antimicrobials for animal productions. One of those zoonotic diseases, which commonly contaminates food and having zoonotic characteristics is Salmonella.Methodology: A cross-sectional study on samples collected from diarrheic sheep in and around Gondar city, to assess the risk of antibiotic resistance development of Salmonella in food animal production was conducted. A total of 80 positively isolated Salmonellae were taken from 165 diarrheic sheep and antibiotics resistance test was conducted by Kirby-Bauer Disc diffusion method. The disc diffusion test was performed using ten commonly used antibiotic discs in the study area. Result: Salmonellae were 100% resistant for amoxicillin and ampicillin. In addition to this, the bacteria were sensitive for kanamycin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin with some level of intermediate resistance. Salmonellae were 75% sensitive with 25% resistance for chloramphenicol while trimethoprim, tetracycline, doxycycline and nalidixic acid showed 37.5%, 37.5%, 25% and 12.5% of resistance respectively. Generally, this study revealed that Salmonellae were developed a wide range of resistance to different antibiotics in the study area. Conclusion: In general, majority of previously curative antibiotics are developed resistance against Salmonella. Therefore, the rational use of antibiotics, antimicrobial use governance in animal production, further studies, and integrative approaches among animal-human health professionals are recommended for the reduction and mitigation of health risks arising from antibiotic-resistant zoonotic pathogens like Salmonellae.