Prevalence of Pathogenic Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in Livestock and Poultry in Market and Abattoirs in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria: A Short Communication

Abstract

Pathogenic Escherichia coli 0157:H7 poses significant risks to both human and animal health. This research aimed to detect its presence in various livestock and poultry samples collected from different markets and abattoirs in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The samples were tested and confirmed using Eosin-Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, biochemical characterization, and serology. In slaughtered cattle from Zango Abattoir, Samaru, Zaria, 34% (17/50) of rectal swab samples tested positive for E. coli, with 47.06% (8/17) of these samples identified as pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7. Similarly, in sheep and goat samples from Ganga Uku Abattoir Samaru, 28% (14/50) and 18% (9/50) tested positive for E. coli, with 92.8% (13/14) and 55.5% (5/9) respectively of these being pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7. For poultry, 54% (27/50) of samples from various sources in Samaru market and abattoir tested positive for E. coli, with 48.1% (13/27) identified as pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7. In addition, the pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7 does not show any significant association (p=0.1138) with cattle, sheep, goat and poultry birds. Notably, samples from sheep and poultry birds showed the highest prevalence. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing good practices and proper hygiene measures to mitigate the risk of E. coli contamination in livestock and poultry products. Additionally, further research using molecular tools such as PCR is recommended for more accurate detection and confirmation of pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7.