Risk of Shiga Toxigenic O157:H7 Infection from Raw and Fermented Milk in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.

O157:H7 is an enteric foodborne pathogen associated with life threatening disease conditions. The enterobacteria are frequently found in cattle gastrointestinal tract with high potential of contaminating animal products such as meat, milk, and cheese. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing O157:H7 in milk products sold within Sokoto metropolis. Two hundred and sixty (260) samples (comprising 160 raw and 100 fermented milk samples) were collected from different sources within the study area. Bacteriological isolation and biochemical characterization yielded with a detection rate of 9.23% (24/260). Molecular identification of the recovered isolates by PCR amplification of the gene revealed O157:H7 with a positive rate of 20.83% (5/24). The overall prevalence of O157:H7 was 1.92% (5/260) and the positive proportions for raw and fermented milk samples were 1.86% (3/160) and 2.0% (2/100), respectively. Fisher's Exact test showed a nonsignificant association between the isolates and the different milk types ( = 0.943; OR = 0.94; [95% CI: 0.154-5.704]). The results revealed presence of O157:H7 in raw and fermented milk sold within Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. The findings indicate possible feacal contamination of the milk products, with serious public health consequences. This necessitates the need to screen other milk products produced in the area such as butter and cheese. Health authorities in the State need to enlighten dairy farmers on the zoonotic potential of O157:H7 and the role of cattle in the spread of the pathogen.