Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, in Rodents and Shrews with Their Associated Risk Factors

Marie Chantal Uwanyirigira (Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Manag. and Biosensor Tech. Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Elias Nelly Bapfakurera (College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda)
Sarah Nibitangaza (College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda)
Ginethon Gabriel Mhamphi (Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Elissa Mwega (Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Sharaduli Kimera (Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Abdul A.S Katakweba (Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Manag. and Biosensor Tech. Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture)

Journal of Applied Veterinary Science and Technology
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): October 2024

Background: Rodents are known to be a source of foodborne diseases; however, few researchers have examined rodent faeces. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of foodborne Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the risk factors associated with rodents and shrews in five wards from Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. Method:  A total of 148 rodents and shrews were captured from domestic, peri-domestic, and marketplace settings. This study isolated bacteria from faeces samples collected from rodents and shrews using a culture test, and identified them using biochemical tests. Molecular tests were used to screen out bacteria-targeted genes. Questionnaires were also used to assess the risk factors of foodborne Salmonella spp. and E. coli associated with house rodents and shrews. Results:  Salmonella enterica was detected in 3/148 (2%), and E. coli was found in 54/148 (36.5%) of the samples. Regarding habitat, a high prevalence of E. coli was observed in open markets, at 16.9%, while Salmonella enterica was high inside households, at 1.3%. The results show that 83% of respondents found rodents feces in uncooked or cooked food, 30.4% found rodents feces in the water storage, 93.2% found food eaten by a rodent, and 66.9% of households used food contaminated with feces or eaten by rats. Conclusion:  The study shows that rodents and shrews carry foodborne pathogens like Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania, posing serious public health risks. The rodents had high rates of E. coli and low Salmonella enterica, with risk factors linked to food and water contamination.