Investigation of Some Species of Salmonella in Table Eggs sold at Different Markets in Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria

H.M. Mai¹*, D. Zahraddeen¹, M.A. Qadeers², I.A. Bawa¹ and I.E Echeonwu³

¹Animal Production Programme, School of Agriculture, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

³National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau state, Nigeria

Corresponding Author’s Email: hassanmai@hotmail.com

Accepted 09 December, 2013

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to investigate the incidence of Salmonella species in table eggs sold at different markets in Jos south, Plateau state, Nigeria. A total of 160 eggs were randomly sampled from four different markets. External shell swab samples of the eggs were processed and examined following standard cultural and biochemical procedures for Salmonella isolation. The results revealed that 52 (33.0%) of the samples were infected with Salmonella gallinarum, S. typhimurium, S. typhi and S. pullorum having infection of 6.9%, 8.1%, 15.0% and 2.5% respectively. Similarly, overall infection of 42.5%, 32.5%, 20.0% and 35.0% were obtained in Vwang, Zawan, Bukuru and Sabon-Pegi markets respectively. It was also revealed that other enterobacterial organisms were observed in 144 (90.0%) of the samples investigated. This suggests that the table eggs offered for sale in these markets were harbouring Salmonella and other microorganisms of public health importance. It is therefore recommended that wholesome eggs are made available to consumers.

Keywords: Eggs, enterobacterial organisms, incidence, Nigeria, Salmonella species, shell, swab.