Dr. Aklilu FelekeMUSSE, TADESSE2020-06-182023-11-082020-06-182023-11-082014-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/21734Salmonellosis is considered one of the most widespread food-borne zoonoses in industrialized as well as developing countries. The presence of Salmonella in food animals at slaughter and the consequent cross-contamination of edible carcass tissues present a significant food safety hazard. A cross sectional study was conducted from March, 2014 to May, 2014; to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella isolated from apparently healthy slaughtered Pigs and from the environment at slaughterhouses. A total of 583 samples (from Mesenteric Lymph nodes, Ceacal content, carcass swabs and abattoir environment) were analyzed for presence of Salmonella. Isolation and identification of Salmonella organisms was carried out by using the standard guidelines given by ISO-66579-3 (ISO, 66579-3: 2003). Of the 120 Mesenteric lymph node and Caecal content samples examined 58 (48.3%) mesenteric lymph node and 50 (41.7%) caecal content samples were detected Salmonella positive, respectively. Of the carcass swab samples Salmonella isolates were recovered from 16 (16 %) samples. Out of the 243 environmental samples (Personnel‟s hand, Eviscerating knife, Skin surface, De-hairing/Shaving material and Scalding water) from the slaughtering line, the highest rate of Salmonella was recovered from the skin surface 20 (34.5%), followed by De-hairing/Shaving materials 8(13.8%) and Eviscerating knife 7 (12.1%). Out of 167 Salmonella isolates tested for eight antimicrobials, all the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial and 85% were resistant for more than one antimicrobial. Of which, 31.7% isolates were resistant to 2 antimicrobials; 24.5% were resistant to 3 antimicrobials; 19.2% isolates were resistant to 4 antimicrobials and 9.5% were resistant to 5 antimicrobials. The result of this study show that the wide spread of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella in apparently healthy slaughtered pigs and the abattoir environment which may pose a significant public health risk. Improving hygienic measures in the pork production chain is necessary in order to reduce the level of Salmonella infection in animals and the associated public health threats. Further large scale studies should be carried out to describe the risk factors associated with the emergence of drug resistant Salmonella and control of their spread across the country.enAddis AbabaAntimicrobial resistanceBishoftuEthiopiaThesis