Salmonella enterica Subspecies enterica Serotypes Associated with Meat and Meat Products in African Countries: A Review

Non-typhoid Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotypes are causative agents of foodborne infections in developed and developing countries. The incidence of non-typhoid salmonellosis is reported to be highest in African countries. Non-typhoid Salmonella infections in humans are mainly reported in children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals, as they can cause more serious infections in those groups. Virulence factors present in the serotypes are vital in the pathogenesis of each serotype in their ability of causing salmonellosis. The predominant origin of non-typhoid Salmonella infection is animal-derived foods such as undercooked meat, eggs and raw milk. Antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella is of global concern. The epidemiology of Salmonella antimicrobial resistance is complicated, serotype dependent and is yet to be entirely understood. This review discussed the prevalence and traits of non-typhoid Salmonella serotypes from meat and related meat products in African countries compared to the situation in the other continents, and evaluated the extent of resistance against antimicrobials by non-typhoid Salmonella recovered from humans in African countries in comparison to the rest of the world. We also highlighted gaps in theoretical and practical knowledge of Salmonella enterica and proposed possible future research areas.