ABSTRACT

Food safety and quality is a global topic of public concern. Salmonella and Escherichia coli are zoonotic enterobacteria which are responsible for outbreaks of both human and animal diseases called Gastroenteritis. The aim of the study was to determine the antibiogram of Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli causing gastroenteritis in patients. A total of 50 stool samples were collected from different hospitals and Laboratories and analyzed for in this research. Stool samples were cultured within 4 hours of collection. About one gram of stool sample was suspended in sterile nutrient broth and incubated at 370C for 24 hours. The concentrated isolates from the nutrient broth were then used to inoculate MacConkey and Salmonella-Shigella agar plates and incubated at 370C for 24 hours. Colonies that showed typical characteristics of E. coli morphology were subcultured into Eosin-Methylene blue agar and incubated at 370C for 24 hours. Out of the 50 watery stool samples collected, 22(44%) and 28(56%) were obtained from male and female respondents respectively. Frequency of occurrence of the isolates showed that a total of 59 organisms were isolated, E. coli and Salmonella spp had a frequency occurrence of 71.2% and 28.8% respectively. E. coli and Salmonella spp were subjected to several antibiotics drugs. The organisms exhibited multiple resistance to the antibiotics tested, E. coli and Salmonella species both showed highest and least susceptibility to Ceftriazone and Cotrimoxazole respectively. It could be recommended from this study that Ceftriazone, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin be used since they are more effective against the E. coli and Salmonella isolates in preference to Co-trimoxazole, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin and Chloramphenicol. Interventions, such as face-to-face counseling, encouraging  exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation, Promotion of hand washing with soap, Improved water supply quantity and quality, including treatment and safe storage of household water and Community-wide sanitation to be promoted.