Abstract

In Nigeria, the number of households that keep companion animals has been steadily increasing. This study was designed to perform a cross-sectional analysis of the risk of zoonotic staphylococcal food poisoning transmitted through the cohabitation of dogs and humans in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection, and both phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to identify the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Enterotoxin production in the S. aureus was assessed with the Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Reversed Passive Latex Agglutination (SET-RPLA) assay. Risk assessments were conducted using the U.S. FDA-iRisk stochastic software to evaluate potential health impacts. Results showed that, a significant proportion of dog owners reported sharing their kitchens (55%), bedrooms (46%), and household furniture (66%) with their pet dogs. The chi-square test of independence indicated a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between living with dogs and the likelihood of contracting zoonotic infections. Staphylococcal risk of staphylococcal food poisoning was higher in Edo State compared to Delta State, particularly during the rainy season, with estimates of 831 cases per 10,000 servings of contaminated yam in Edo State versus 702 cases per 10,000 servings in Delta State. The findings suggest a considerable potential for the transmission of staphylococcal bacteria and enterotoxins between dogs and humans within household settings