Implication of bats in the transmission of zoonotic strains of Salmonella in Benin

Abstract

Bats play a very important role in the transmission of zoonosis, including Salmonella. Salmonella are responsible for salmonellosis, which is a major public health concern. They are the cause of many hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. The objective of this study was to contribute to the im-provement of the control of zoonotic strains of Salmonella in Benin. To do so, a collection of 400 bats was made and after slaughter and dissection, bacteriological analyses were made on the gut to isolate and identify the different strains of Salmonella carried by these bats. The resistance profile and the presence of specific virulence gene such invA, spvR, spvC and stn were studied. The strain Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 was used as a positive control. Of the 400 bats slaughtered, 14 isolate of Salmonella spp were identified by API gallery. Therefore, the prevalence of Salmonella strains in bats was 3.5%. Salmonella spp strains isolated showed total re-sistance to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid and also to first and second genera-tions of cephalosporins. The stn and invA genes have been found in the DNA of all strains of Salmonella isolated. The consumption of bats being a com-mon practice in Benin, the risk of virulent Salmonella strains transmission must be taken very seriously and people must be sensitized to this in order to slow down the risk of infection.