House Rats, Rattus Rattus, as Reservoirs of Salmonellae in Gboko, North Central Nigeria: Implications for Human Health

Abstract

The occurrence and carrier rate of Samonella in house rats at various sites in Gboko, North Central Nigeria was determined from October 2008 to June 2009. Cultural, biochemical and serological tests as modified were used for isolation and identification. A carrier rate of 8.7% was observed as 9 of the 104 sampled were salmonellae positive. Those caught from around waste dumps had significantly higher (p<0.05) carrier rate than rats from other locations. The distribution of the isolates in the 9 positive rats were mixed infection of S. enterica ser. Typhumurium and S. enterica ser. Enteritidis in 3 (33.3%), S. enterica ser.Newport and S. enterica ser.Weltevreden2 (22.9%), S. enterica ser.Typhimurium and S. enterica ser. Newport 1(11.1%), and S. enterica ser.Typhimurium only in 2 (22.2%) and S. enterica ser. Enteritidis only in 1(11.1%). Species specific carrier rates were however, S. enterica ser.Typhimurium (5.8%), S. enterica ser. Enteritides (3.8%), S. enterica ser. Newport (2.9%) and S. enterica ser.Weltevreden (1.9%) when the total sampled is considered. The potentials of human infection by these salmonellae via food borne intoxication are discussed.

Keywords: House Rats, Salmonellae, Human Health, livestock, epidemiology

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 371-375