Assessing the Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in Powdered Milk Sold in Owerri Municipal and Surrounding Areas: Implications for Food Safety and Public Health
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Date
2024-09-20
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American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research
Abstract
Milk, a nutritious food source, can support the growth of various microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus. This study investigates the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus in powdered milk sold in Owerri Municipal and surrounding areas. A total of 50 exposed powdered milk samples were collected from different vendors at retail points in Relief Market. The samples were analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus using cultural methods, with identification based on colonial morphology, microscopy, and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results indicated that the highest mean Staphylococcus aureus count was 1.44 x 10^4 CFU/g in samples exposed outside, while the lowest was 1.19 x 10^4 CFU/g in samples stored inside. Out of the 50 samples, 15 tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, representing a 30% prevalence rate. Samples exposed outside had a higher occurrence (40%) compared to those stored inside (20%). The antibiogram revealed that the isolates were highly susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (100%), Gentamicin (93.33%), Erythromycin, and Chloramphenicol (73.33%). However, resistance was observed against Norfloxacin (66.67%) and Ampicillin-cloxacillin (26.67%). Notably, five isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance, with a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.3 to 0.4. The study highlights a
significant prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in powdered milk and its resistance to commonly used antibiotics, posing a potential public health risk to consumers.
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Keywords
Staphylococcus aureus, Antibiotic resistance, Enterotoxins, Pathogens, Milk
Citation
Chika Maureen Ezenwa and Charity Ndidi Obum-Nnadi*. Assessing the Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in Powdered Milk Sold in Owerri Municipal and Surrounding Areas: Implications for Food Safety and Public Health. Am J Biomed Sci & Res. 2024 24(1) AJBSR.MS.ID.003167, DOI: 10.34297/AJBSR.2024.24.00316