High Carriage Rate of Extended-Spectrum -Lactamase-Producing and Species among Poultry Meat Vendors in Dar es Salaam: The Urgent Need for Intervention to Prevent the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Background: Bacteria possessing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially and a species, are problematic, particularly in hospitalized patients. Poultry meat vendors are at risk of carrying ESBL-producing bacteria when processing and handling meat products in an unhygienic environment. There is limited information on the carriage rate of ESBL-producing pathogens among poultry meat vendors that necessitated the conduction of the study.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among poultry meat vendors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants provided rectal swabs in transport media upon instruction. The primary isolation of ESBL-producing bacteria was carried out using MacConkey agar supplemented with ceftazidime. Identification of isolates relied on conventional methods. Double-disk synergy was the method used to confirm ESBL-producing isolates. We performed descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. A value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 300 participants were recruited from five districts, with a mean age of 27.2 ± 6.7 years. The majority was male (67.3%), and 74.7% worked as poultry meat vendors for more than one year. Out of 300 participants, 107 (35.7%) had confirmed ESBL-producing and spp. The majority of confirmed ESBL-producing isolates was (78.5%). Participants from Ubungo District had significantly higher carriage of ESBL-producing and spp. (48.0%, 95% CI: 34.8-47.7) than Temeke District (21.4%, 95% CI: 13.4-32.4). Only 28.0% of participants had access to latrines at the workplace, and all working areas lacked access to running water.

Conclusion: The study revealed a relatively high fecal carriage rate of ESBL-producing and . among poultry meat vendors. Poor working environments and hygienic practices are risks for spread of these pathogens.