Occurrence And Antibiogram Of Salmonella Enterica Serova Enteritidis And Proteus Mirabilis In Offals Of Slaughtered Cattle:- Ukweni, Chinonyerem J.

ABSTRACT IX This study was carried out to ascertain the occurence of Salmonella entericci serova enteritidis and Proteus mirabilis in the offals ofslaughtered cattle and to determine their in vitro susceptibility to antibiotics. Sterile swabs were used to collect samples, also some samples were collected by direct tissue sampling (which were macerated) and sub-cultured unto Selenite F, from which samples were further inoculated and cultured unto selective media of Mac Conkey agar and Salmonella Shigella agar. Identification was based on colonial morphology as lactose fermenter, non-lactose fermeters and hydrogen sulphide producers. Hydrogen sulphide producers were further subcultured unto urea agar slopes and results of positives and negatives used to distingush potential Proteus organisms and Salmonella organisms. Indole tests was carried out to further distinguish Proteiis mirabilis from Proteus vulgaris, while Salmonella grouping antisera D was used to confirm the presence of Salmonella entericaserova enteritidis. In total 208 samples were collected, 52 each from the mesenteric lymph nodes, rumen, jejunum and colon. 105 Proteus mirabilis species were isolated of which; 15 from the mesenteric lymph node, 45 from the colon, 25 from the jejunum and 20 from the rumen. However no Samonella enterica serova enteritidis isolate was confirmed.Susceptibility studies revealed Proteus mirabilis to be susceptible to all the antibiotics used except Ampicillin (PN) to which it showed an average of 49% resistance, all isolates however displayed a 100% susceptibility to Streptomycin (S) in all the samples susceptibility studies. This study contributes to a better knowledge on the role and incidence of occurrence of Samonella enterica serova enteritidis and Proteus mirabilis in offals of slaughtered cattle, their antimicrobial susceptibility, and public enlightenment to consumers, abattoir and health workers on the potential risk of auto and cross infection to animal and human population