Abstract

INCIDENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM APRONS OF MEAT VENDORS IN AWKA, ANAMBRA NIGERIA

Uzoma Abuchi, Thaddeus Gugu, Belinda C. Ugwu, Ugochukwu Okezie, Chinelo Unachukwu, Catherine Stanley and Malachy C. Ugwu*

ABSTRACT

Food handlers with poor personal hygiene and inadequate knowledge working in Abattoirs could be potential sources of infections of many public health bacteria. This study evaluated the frequency and susceptibility profile of three Gram negative bacterial isolates from aprons of meat vendors an Abattoir in Awka, South-eastern Nigeria. Randomly collected fresh swabs (100) from aprons of meat vendors were analyzed on different bacteriological media. Colonies were identified by basic identification techniques; and susceptibility profile was evaluated on Muller-Hinton agar using agar diffusion method. Of the 100 swab samples collected, the total Gram negative bacteria isolated from the aprons was 43, the predominant was Escherichia coli (44.2%), followed by Shigella (39.5%) and Salmonella spp (16.3%). The isolates were resistant to almost all the tested agents except levofloxacin and the isolates recorded 100% resistance to the betalactams (ampicillin, ceftriaxone and cefuroxime). This study confirmed the presence of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella on the apron of meat vendors in abattoirs in Awka. These public health important bacteria from food handlers may pose significant risk on the consumers. It is therefore essential for our government to implement food handlers training on food safety, conduct periodic medical checkup and regular monitoring of personal hygiene.

Keywords: Antibiogram, bacteria, resistance, food safety, aprons, meat vendors, Awka.