Portadores asintomáticos de Salmonella spp., factores de riesgo y serotipos circulantes en parroquias rurales del cantón Jipijapa, Ecuador

Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases worldwide, and asymptomatic carriers constitute a silent reservoir of the bacteria, particularly in rural areas with limited access to microbiological diagnosis. The objective of this study was to identify asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella spp., determine the associated risk factors, and identify the serotypes present in the rural parishes of Jipijapa parish/canton, Manabí, Ecuador. A descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted between 2024 and 2025 among asymptomatic residents of seven rural parishes. Sociodemographic data, hygiene habits, and dietary practices were collected using a direct survey. Stool samples were analyzed using coproculture with selenate/selenite broth enrichment, plating on SSA, XLD, and MacConkey agars, and biochemical testing. Isolates were serotyped using antisera according to the Kauffmann-White scheme. A total of 126 asymptomatic carriers were identified, with a predominance of females (55%) and individuals aged 10–19 years (29%); 55% had a secondary education background. Overall, 53% did not wash their hands regularly, 100% did not use latrines, 55% consumed uncooked food, and 91% reported contact with domestic animals or poultry. Two serotypes were identified: Salmonella Enteritidis (68%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (32%), showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In conclusion, asymptomatic carriers were concentrated in the young population with a low level of hygiene practices that favor fecal-oral transmission, with S. Enteritidis being the predominant serotype. These findings underscore the need to strengthen microbiological surveillance and health education in rural areas.