Salmonella in Indian ready-to-cook poultry: antibiotic resistance and molecular characterization

Abstract

The availability and popularity of processed, ready-to-cook (RTC) poultry products are increasing in India. Though fresh poultry is known to be contaminated with Salmonella, the prevalence of this foodborne pathogen in RTC poultry products is not reported. Eighty-seven chilled and frozen RTC poultry samples of 4 different brands obtained from supermarkets and departmental stores in Mumbai were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella. The prevalence of Salmonella was higher (51%) in chilled RTC samples as compared to the frozen RTC samples (5%). The frozen RTC samples of one brand were free from Salmonella. S. Typhimurium (75.2%) was the most prevalent serovar, followed by S. Enteritidis (23%) and S. Weltevreden (1.7%). A high percentage (81.4%) of the isolates were found to be resistant to 5 or more antibiotics and class 1 integron, which has been shown to confer multi-drug resistance, was detected in 69.9% of the isolates. Multiple antibiotic resistance index of isolates was high (0.6) indicating the indiscriminate use of antibiotics during poultry farming. High genetic diversity was observed among the Salmonella serovars based on Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis profiles. Results showed the presence of multi-drug resistant Salmonella serovars in processed, chilled RTC poultry products marketed in Mumbai, India.

Salmonella from Farm to Table: Isolation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella from Commercial Broiler Supply Chain and Its Environment

“…In the present study, the overall prevalence of Salmonella in RMS was 46.29%, which is in agreement with the earlier findings of 51% prevalence in India [ 24 ] but higher than those reported in chicken meat samples in Turkey (10.64%) [ 32 ], broiler supply chain in Qingdao City, China (14.98%) [ 26 ], chicken meat from wet markets in Malaysia (20.8%) [ 33 ], broiler supply chain in Korea (16.06%) [ 34 ], or from different chicken samples in slaughter houses in China (30.14%) [ 35 ]. The higher prevalence of Salmonella in RMS in our study may be attributed to the fact that majority of the retail meat shops are open type shops, selling meat to the consumers directly, after slaughter of live birds.…”

“…The overall prevalence of Salmonella in the present study was 25.82%. These findings are in line with other researchers who have reported higher prevalence of Salmonellae in chilled chicken meat samples (51%) [ 24 ], CBF (32.5%), backyard chicken (21.4%) [ 25 ], CBF supply chain (14.52%) [ 26 ], poultry meat (8.18%) [ 27 ], and egg contents (0.5%) [ 28 ].…”

Screening, Isolation, Identification and Antibiogram Study of Enterobacteriaceae in Ready to Cook, Chilled Food Products in Tiruchirappalli, India

“…Presence of Salmonella sp. in fresh poultry has been reported worldwide 6,21,8,22 . This study has also confirmed the presence of Salmonella sp.…”

“…E. coli are considered as a sepathogenic, non-pathogenic and commensal organism found in the intestinal region of both animal and human 7 . Salmonella is the predominant foodborne pathogen causing salmonellosis due to the consumption of undercooked meat and eggs 8 .…”