Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of <i>Salmonella</i> in Ethiopia Since 2009/2010: A Review

Salmonella is one of the major and important foodborne pathogens of humans and animals causing salmonellosis, which have great medical and economical cost. Infections with Salmonella in food-producing animals present a serious public health concern, because food products of animal origin are considered to be a significant source of human infection. Most common sources of infection are eggs and related products, and meat from poultry and other food animal species. Milk and dairy products have also been associated with outbreaks of salmonellosis in people. Studies indicated the widespread occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in Ethiopia. The emergence and persistence of antimicrobial resistance is driven by varied factors including the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and variable drug efficacy and presents a major threat to the control of infectious diseases. In recent years, since the rate at which resistance occurs has outpaced the development of new drug replacements, it has become necessary to use the currently available agents, optimally and appropriately. Therefore, developing strategies in order to minimize the expansion of antimicrobial resistance is critically important. Performing drug susceptibility test for each salmonellosis case and Educating the community about Salmonella transmission is very important. Moreover, collaboration of different stakeholders like the public health, animal health, and animal agriculture communities plays a pivotal role.