Prevalence of Salmonellae infections in sheep and goats and the possibilities of lizards in infection transmission cycle in Maiduguri and environs

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Salmonellae infections in sheep, goats and in lizards in Maiduguri and environs. A total of 210 rectal swab samples representing 70 samples each from sheep, goats and lizards were examined according to standard techniques. The results revealed a prevalence of 12, 14 and 12 respectively of positive Salmonellae isolates. Four (4), six (6) and five (5) of these isolates were respectively from male sheep, bucks and male lizards while seven (7), eight (8) and seven (7) of the isolates were from female sheep, goats and female lizards respectively. These accounted for 30.83%, 41.66% and 34.10% respectively for Salmonellae infections in sheep, goats and lizards. The prevalence in males and females were 13.3% and 17.5% for sheep, 15% and 27% for goats and 16.66% and 17.50% for lizards respectively. Antibiotics susceptibility test results showed that the isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (32,100%) and ofloxacin (31, 100%). Isolated salmonellae were resistant to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin. Since lizards were found in the vicinity of small ruminants houses, lizards were therefore considered important in the transmission circle of salmonellae to small ruminants. Farmers should be enlightened on the importance of using lizard proof materials in the construction of small ruminants sheds. Pet animals such as cats should be adapted for frequent visits to farm premises where sheep and goats are kept to scare lizards away from the area. Strict hygienic measures should be part of public enlightenment campaigns to minimize the spread of salmonellosis generally in the environment.