Salmonella and Shigella are ubiquitous pathogens. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide a favorable environment for the growth of these microorganisms. The objective of this study was to contribute to the assessment of the level of Salmonella and Shigella contamination in fruits and vegetables in various localities of Kindia. The study was conducted from July 2021 to June 2022 and involved a sample of 1630 specimens, including 557 fruits and vegetables, 577 irrigation water samples, and 496 organic fertiliser samples. Bacteriological methods were used to isolate Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. The results showed a contamination rate of 19.57% for fruits and vegetables, with contamination rates varying by fruit and vegetable variety. No Shigella was detected in the samples. Overall, three serotypes of Salmonella were isolated: Salmonella typhi (0.54%), Salmonella typhimurium (9.87%), and Salmonella enteritidis (9.16%). The contamination of fruits and vegetables, irrigation water, and organic fertilisers with Salmonella and Shigella may be associated with poor agricultural practices, contaminated irrigation water, or inadequately composted organic fertilisers. However, these potential sources of contamination were not statistically evaluated in the present study. Appropriate measures must be implemented to limit and prevent the contamination of fruits and vegetables, with the aim of preventing the proliferation of these bacteria and ensuring consumer health and safety.
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