Occurrence and antibiogram of species in raw pork, beef, and chicken meats marketed in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria.

Aim: This study was undertaken to isolate (.) species from raw meats sold in markets in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, and to determine the antibacterial resistance profile.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five grams of beef (n=144), chicken meat (n=144), and pork (n=144) were collected randomly from supermarkets and general markets in Enugu State. Isolation of was done using half and full Fraser broths, and polymyxin acriflavine lithium chloride ceftazidime aesculin mannitol agar. Identification of isolates was done using an analytical profile index kit specific for . Confirmation of the genus was done by a polymerase chain reaction. The resistance of the isolates was determined using the disk diffusion method.

Results: was isolated from 39/144 (27.1%) chicken meat, 19/144 (13.2%) pork, and 66/144 (45.8%) beef samples cultured. was the predominant species in chicken meat (52.6%) and beef (81.8%) samples. , , and were also isolated from the beef and chicken meat samples. More than 65% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and cephalothin. All the isolates from beef and pork samples and 23 (92%) from chicken meat samples, were resistant to ≥3 classes of antibacterial agents. Mean multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was 0.77 (range=0.42-1.00), 0.58 (range=0.25-0.83), and 0.79 (range=0.58-0.92) for the isolates from beef, chicken meat, and pork samples, respectively. All the isolates had MARI >0.2.

Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant strains contaminate raw beef, pork, and chicken meats marketed in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria.