Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety & Hygiene
Open Access

Prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species in chicken eggs from different poultry farms in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

8^th International Conference on Food Safety and Regulatory Measures

June 11-12, 2018 | Barcelona, Spain

Nnagbo P A, Ezenwa C M and Uzoechi A U

Imo State University, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Microbiol Saf Hyg

Abstract :

Salmonella and Shigella contamination of eggs and egg shells has been identified as a public health concern worldwide. A recent shift in consumer preferences has impacted on the egg industry, with a push for cage-free egg production methods. There has also been an increased desire from consumers for raw unprocessed foods, potentially increasing the risk of salmonellosis and shigellosis. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella in chicken eggs from different poultry farms in Owerri, Imo state. Based on expected prevalence of salmonellosis and shigellosis in Nigeria at 75% confidence interval and 5% absolute precision, egg shell and egg contents of 360 eggs were examined for Salmonella and Shigella using cultural method. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in egg shells and contents was 37 (10.28%) while that of Shigella in egg shells and contents was 21 (5.83%). The results of this study indicated that egg shell contamination with fecal material was significantly higher than that of egg contents. The present study reports that contamination of eggs by Salmonella and Shigella species can cause an outbreak of food-borne disease due to eating raw eggs or the products having such eggs in the study area. paulyn.ahuocha@gmail.com