PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF SALMONELLA SPECIES AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN RETAIL MEATS SOLD IN AWKA METROPOLIS, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
Food borne infections and diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource poor settings. Food products especially those of animal origin play significant role in the transfer of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluated the frequency and susceptibility profile of Salmonella species and S. aureus from retail meat sold in Awka, southeast Nigeria. Randomly collected fresh meat samples were analyzed on different bacteriological media. Colonies were identified by basic identification techniques; and susceptibility profile was evaluated on Mueller-Hinton agar. S. aureus and Salmonella were isolated at a rate of 98.33% and 71.67% respectively. S. aureus isolates showed reduced susceptibility to penicillins, erythromycin and tetracycline. All isolates of Salmonella showed higher levels of resistance to the tested antibiotics; and the results of multiple antibiotic resistance index showed that the bacterial isolates were multi-resistant to the tested antibiotics. This study confirmed high prevalence of Salmonella and S. aureus in raw meat products and the bacterial isolates were multi resistant to some commonly used antibiotics. Proper antibiotic usage and good stewardship in food handling is critical to the containment and spread of drug-resistant food pathogens