Comparative Studies on Bacteriology and Antibiogram of Isolates from Ready-To-Eat and Raw Meat Samples

This research looks at the comparative studies on bacteriology and antibiogram of isolates from raw and ready-to-eat (RTE ) meat samples in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Ninety (90) samples were collected from three markets in Port Harcourt and subjected to microbiological procedures. The results recorded no significant difference (p˃0.05) of Total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC) in RTE from various locations. THBC ranged between 7.50±1.94 and 5.74±1.35 at Mile 1 market and 6.98±2.15 and 6.04±1.55 at Rumueme market. The Salmonella-Shigella count of the ready to eat meat ranged from 3.26±.69 to 3.16±.98 at Mile 3 market and 2.40±.66 to 2.04±.84 at Rumueme market and indicates no significant difference (p˃0.05) The coliform count of beef across the location showed significant differences (p≤0.05). While counts of beef in Rumueme market was higher and ranges (3.38±.86 -2.20±.78) than those of the Mile 1 and Mile 3 market. Total Staphylococcal count (TSC) showed no significant difference (p≥0.05) with counts of RTE ranging Mile 1 market ( 7.50±1.94to 7.22±2.25) Mile 3 (7.68±1.60 to 7.02±2.00) and Rumueme (6.98±2.15 to 6.04±1.55) and a total of 52 bacterial isolates with vary percentage of occurance such as Staphylococcus sp 12(23.07%), Bacillus sp 9(17.30%), E. coli 5(9.61%) ,Enterobacter sp 4(7.69%), Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis 7(13.46%), Macrocuccus caseolyticus 2(3.38%), Klebsiella sp 3(5.76%), Morganella morgani 3(5.76%), Pragia fontium 3(5.76%), Tatumella ptyseos 2(3.84%), Pectobacterium wasabiae 2 (3.84%). Consequently, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, E. coli, and Enterobacter sp showed high resistance to antibiotics such as, Augumentin, vancomycin, ceftazidine, cloxacillin, Erytromycin, cefuroxine, and ceftriaxone while Staphylococcus was susceptible at (66.67%) to gentamycin and ofloxacin (88.33%) and other isolates were 100% susceptible to ofloxacin. Molecular identification of 3 isolate using PCR confirmed S. aureus at 65.8% and Lycinibacillus macroides at 100%. The megaA, and VanB genes were indentified in 2 Staphylococcus spp while AAIC gene was identified in Lycinibacillus macrolides. All three isolates had plasmid at 10kbp. The 52 isolates had 100% multidrug resistance index of more than 0.2. and were 100% multidrug resistant. Public health awareness campaigns are advocated to sensitize meat sellers and consumers in order to mitigate or eliminate several health issues emanating from unhygienic meat slaughtering, preparation and consumption.