Title : Comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella species isolated from undergraduate students at Imo State University, Nigeria
Abstract:
Salmonella species are important Gram-negative pathogens associated with gastrointestinal infections, with increasing antimicrobial resistance posing a significant public health concern worldwide. This study carried out a comparative analysis of the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella species among undergraduate students of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Nigeria. A total of 120 participants were screened using the Widal agglutination test, of which 91 (75.83%) tested positive. From the Widal-positive participants, 23 individuals with higher antibody titres who consented to provide stool samples were selected for confirmatory testing. All 23 stool samples (100.00%) yielded isolates with cultural and biochemical characteristics consistent with Salmonella species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using ten antibiotics commonly employed in the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections to determine the resistance patterns of the recovered Salmonella isolates. The findings revealed widespread resistance among the recovered isolates. Complete resistance (100.00%) was observed against Streptomycin, Pefloxacin, Ceftazidime, and Cefuroxime. High resistance rates were also recorded for Cefepime and Ofloxacin, with 20 (86.96%) resistant isolates each, while Ceftriaxone and Gentamicin each recorded resistance in 18 (78.26%) isolates. The highest susceptibility was observed with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate and Ciprofloxacin, with susceptibility rates of 10 (43.48%) and 8 (34.78%), respectively. Furthermore, multidrug resistance (MDR) was demonstrated in all 23 (100.00%) isolates, with every isolate exhibiting resistance to six or more antibiotics. These findings demonstrate the circulation of multidrug-resistant Salmonella species among undergraduate students and highlight the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance within university communities. The study provides valuable baseline data for antimicrobial resistance surveillance and supports the need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, continuous microbiological surveillance, rational antibiotic use, and improved food safety and sanitation practices to reduce the emergence and spread of resistant Salmonella infections.
