Antibiotic resistance and prevalence of Salmonella spp. In the vegetable wash water from the tomato market, Lafia, Nasarawa, Nigeria

The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in vegetables and their wash water presents a considerable public health threat, particularly in regions characterised by inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns of Salmonella spp. in vegetable wash water samples collected from the Tomato Market located on Shinge Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Salmonella spp. were identified in 14 out of 30 samples, indicating a prevalence rate of 46.67%. Notably, high resistance rates were observed for Ampicillin (92.86%) and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (64.29%). The highest sensitivity was recorded for Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime (100% each), as well as for Ceftriaxone (85.71%). Various multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns were observed, with resistance to multiple drug classes being prevalent. The elevated prevalence and MDR patterns in Salmonella spp. from vegetable wash water underscore critical public health issues. Enhancing sanitation practices and ensuring prudent antibiotic utilisation are essential measures needed to effectively tackle these challenges.