Prevalence and Antibiogram of Salmonella Enterica Isolated from Raw Dromedary Camel Milk in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Camel milk is consumed unprocessed in Matrouh Governorate, due to a lack of refrigeration facilities during transport from the desert to market, as well as insufficient hygiene procedures along the milk chain until it reaches the customers. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in raw dromedary camel milk, as well as a comparison of conventional and molecular Salmonella enterica identification, gene sequencing, and antibiogram profile. 100 samples of raw camel milk (50 from markets and farms each) were collected at random from different districts in the Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, for microbiological examination. Salmonella enterica was found in 10% of market raw dromedary camel milk and 0% of farm raw dromedary camel milk using standard methods. The unique gene of Salmonella spp. was found in 6 and 0 of the tested isolates, respectively, by molecular identification using PCR for Salmonella (invA gene). Salmonella spp. or enterica virulence genes (stn and fimH) were found in all the isolates tested. In addition, MEGA X software was used to perform gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Salmonella enterica virulence genes. Salmonella enterica antibiotic resistance pattern was discussed. Moreover, Salmonella enterica isolates show high antibiotic resistance specially against Rifamycin (30µg), Erythromycin (15µg), Novobiocin (30µg). Finally, it was observed that the hygienic quality of raw camel milk was at stake, so strict hygienic practice and efficient heat treatment should be adopted to maintain food safety.