PREVALENCE OF EXTENDED-SPECTRUM β-LACTAMASE-PRODUCING SALMONELLA ON GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES FROM A STREET VENDOR

Consumption of fresh leafy vegetables by a street vendor cause salmonellosis is a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the study to investigate total microbial count and the occurrence of ESBL producer and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella from fresh leafy greens. In this sample Salmonella spp. Population ranged from 40.33 to 35.33 x 10(2) CFU/g of fresh samples. The highest Salmonella spp. The population was observed in 40.33 x 10(2) CFU/g in green leaf, followed by Coriander and Ponnankanikirrai (red). Among the 10 isolates, five (50%) isolates namely NS-1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, could be ESBL producers by double-disc synergy test. From the 5 Salmonella spp., 4 isolates (88.89%) were resistance to cefuroxime and cefixime, 3 isolates (77.78%) resistant to ceftazidime and cefdinir, 2 isolates (33.33%) resistant to amoxiclav ceftriaxone and co-trimoxazole, and 1 isolate (11.11%) resistant to cefixime, amikacin, and chloramphenicol. Citric acid eradicated the Salmonella spp. averagely 100% at 3% concentration while 9.77 (0.5%) to 93% (2.5% concentration) from control. Acetic acid (3 %) decreased cell density by 100%, followed by acetic acid and Lactic acid. Among the 5 isolates, NS-1, NS-2, NS-4, NS-5, and NS-7 isolates were highly susceptible to antimicrobial agents. The data presented here indicate that street vendor green leaf were the potential reservoirs of Salmonella infection. This recommends good hygienic practices are mandatory to prevent the spread of disease. In future newer methods were adopted to reduce the risk of contamination.