Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica Serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium in Bushmeat Carcasses Sold in the Centre Region Markets, Cameroon

Salmonella is a pathogen that causes gastrointestinal illness in consumers. Animal protection regulations are frequently disregarded by certain local populations, and the microbial risks associated with their consumption make this practice a serious public health concern. Highlighting these dangers may support state regulations and reduce consumer demand. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from bushmeat carcasses consumed in the Central Region of Cameroon. A total of 142 fresh carcass samples were collected from local markets for Salmonella isolation. Phenotypically identified isolates were subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the InvA gene for the Salmonella genus, the IE-1 gene for Salmonella ser. Enteritidis, and the Flic-C gene for Salmonella ser. Typhimurium. For molecular typing, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium isolates were further analyzed using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR). Phenotypic analysis detected Salmonella spp. in 117 carcass samples (82.39%), and PCR confirmed 98 of these (69.01%) as true nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates, comprising 93 Salmonella ser. Enteritidis and five Salmonella ser. Typhimurium. Among the 98 confirmed NTS isolates, the InvA gene was detected in 45 (45.91%), and RAPD-PCR profiles were distinct for all isolates. At a similarity threshold of 80%, Salmonella ser. Typhimurium isolates were grouped into three clusters, while Salmonella ser. Enteritidis isolates were grouped into six clusters. This study shows that bushmeat is heavily contaminated with nontyphoidal Salmonella, predominantly S. Enteritidis serovars. These results may support future epidemiological research and help raise awareness of the microbial risks associated with bush meat.