The Relationship of Antimicrobial Sensitivity and Biofilm Formation of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Broiler Chicken Farms in Biskra, Algeria

Abstract

Salmonella is a pathogen implicated in foodborne illnesses. Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella has emerged and is increasingly prevalent, posing a significant global problem. The current study aimed to study the antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation capacity of Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler chicken farms in Biskra, Algeria. Two hundred and seventy samples were collected from various sources within broiler chicken farms (fecal matter, cloacal swabs, surface swabs, reservoir water, and water from final dispenser lines). Conventional methods were used to isolate and identify Salmonella species and confirmed using API 20E test strips, and the disk diffusion method was used to perform a sensitivity test, in addition to the crystal violet microtiter plate method to assay the biofilm formation capacity of the isolates. 45 strains isolated with a prevalence of 16.66%. The result of the sensitivity test showed resistance against ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline at 97.78%, 95,56% and 91.11%, respectively. Meanwhile, the third-generation cephalosporins and cefadroxil showed moderate sensitivity. The results also showed a difference in the ability of the isolates to produce biofilms; most of them were weak, medium and non-productive biofilms at a rate of 55.56%, 37.78% and 6.67%, respectively. A negative correlation of a statistically significant relationship between antibiotic resistance and the capacity for biofilm formation in strains of Salmonella was observed. This study revealed a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Salmonella strains isolated from broiler chicken farms, indicating the necessity for effective measures to ensure food safety in the poultry industry in Algeria.