| Summary: | Stephen Abiola Akinola,1 Mulunda Mwanza,2 Collins Njie Ateba1 1Antimicrobial Resistance and Phage Bio-Control Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Mmabatho 2745, South Africa; 2Center for Animal Health Studies, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Mmabatho 2745, South AfricaCorrespondence: Collins Njie AtebaAntimicrobial Resistance and Phage Bio-control Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2745, South AfricaTel +27 18 489 2720Email collins.ateba@nwu.ac.zaPurpose: Contamination with Salmonella on food products and poultry in particular has been linked to foodborne infections and/or death in humans. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic diversities and antibiotic resistance profiles of Salmonella strains isolated from chickens.Patients and methods: Twenty each duplicate faecal swab samples were collected from five different poultry pens of broilers, layers and indigenous chickens in the North-West Province, South Africa. Isolates identities were confirmed through amplification and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and the invA gene fragments after which phylogenetic tree was constructed. Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC:13076TM), Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC:14028TM) and E. coli (ATCC:259622TM) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The serotypes of Salmonella isolates were determined. Antibiotic-resistant profiles of the isolates against eleven antimicrobial agents were determined.Results: Eighty-four (84%) of representative isolates possessed the invA genes. The percent occurrence and diversity of Salmonella subspecies in chickens were 1.81–30.9% and was highest in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica. Notably, the following serotypes Salmonella bongori (10.09%), Salmonella Pullorum (1.81%), Salmonella Typhimurium (12.72%), Salmonella Weltevreden, Salmonella Chingola, Salmonella Houten and Salmonella Bareily (1.81%). Isolates (96.6%) displayed multidrug resistance profiles and the identification of isolates with more than nine antibiotic resistance was a cause for concern.Conclusion: This study indicates that isolates had pre-exposure histories to the antibiotics tested and may pose severe threats to food security and public health.Keywords: Salmonella, diversity, antimicrobial resistance, phylogenetic, chickens
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