Prevalence, Antibiogram and Growth Potential of Salmonella and Shigella in Ethiopia: Implications for Public Health. A Review

Abstract

This article has reviewed researches that obtained from peer-reviewed literatures on Salmonellosis and Shigellosis in different parts of Ethiopia. The prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella, the causative agent for Salmonellosis and Shigellosis, respectively, their antibiogram and growth potential were the main objectives of this review. Foodborne diseases related to unhygienic food handling practices remain a major public health problem across the globe. The problem is severe in developing countries due to limitations in securing optimal hygienic food handling practices. Data shows that an estimated 70% of cases of diarrheal diseases are associated with the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms.  Among these microorganisms Salmonella and Shigella are the major ones. In most studies of Antibiograms tests, Salmonella and Shigella spp. showed high resistance to the commonly used antibiotics which indicate serious problems in antimicrobial therapy globally, especially in developing countries. In challenge studies, Salmonella and Shigella spp. reached the infective dose within 4 to 24 hours of inoculation, respectively in various food samples. In this review, it is noted that these potentially pathogens are still public health problems. Therefore, there needs  health education, frequent monitory and evaluation system of microbiological and antimicrobial surveillance so as to plan intervention strategies for at risk population in the area of water sanitation and hygienic food handling practice to minimize the burden posed by the diseases Salmonellosis and Shigellosis.

Keywords: Antibiograms; Diarrheal diseases; Ethiopia; Foodborne diseases; Growth potential;  Salmonellosis; Shigellosis.