Abstract

PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF CIRCULATING Escherichia coli FROM HOME-MADE MILK PRODUCTS SOLD IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Okechukwu, E. C.*, Amuta, E. U., Aguora, S. O., Gberikon, G. M.  and Njoku, M.

ABSTRACT

Background: The emergence of the presence of antimicrobial resistant food-borne pathogens in food as a result of random use of antimicrobials in farm practices, improper processing, handling, transporting and personal hygiene poses public health risk. Food of animal origin has been observed to be vehicle for the transmission of antimicrobial resistant pathogens for colonization and infection in human. Therefore, necessitated the microbiological and phenotypic analysis of E. coli isolated from the milk products samples. Method: The phenotypic screening was carried out using ten (10) antibiotics sensitivity discs (Oxoid) by Kirby–Bauer discs diffusion method. Result: The antimicrobial resistance pattern revealed that all the Escherichia coli isolates showed high resistance rate of 100% against Amoxycillin (AMC), Cefpodoxime (CPD), Cefuroxime (CXM), Chloramphenicol (C), and intermediate resistance rate to Tetracycline and Doxycycline (31.4% and 20%) respectively. Conclusion: The high resistance of Escherichia coli isolates to the Beta-lactam drugs including 3rd generation Cephalosporins as shown in the study indicates the possibility of indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents in food–producing animals. This could lead to the spread of antimicrobial resistant food pathogens in human through consumption of these high-risk foods.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Resistance, Susceptibility, Escherichia coli, Milk Products. WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SJIF Impact Factor 7.421 Volume 8, Issue 6, 84-102 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357 *Corresponding Author Okechukwu, E. C. D