ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF Klebsiella sp. ISOLATED FROM READY TO EAT VEGETABLE SALAD SOLD IN BENIN METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotics resistance pattern of Klebsiellasp. isolated from ready to eat vegetable salad sold inBenin metropolis. Samples were collected aseptically from five different vendors and analyzed using standard Microbiological techniques for the presence of klebsiella sp. Result of the investigation shows that Klebsiellasp. was present in almost all the vegetable salad sampled in this study.  The total heterotrophic count shows that ring road had the highest average count of2.82 ± 0.83 x 10⁴ cfu/g while legacy campus has the lowest count of1.68 ± 0.32 x 10⁴cfu/g. Result of the total klebsiellasp. count on MacConkay Agar shows that ugbor had the highest average count of 1.52 ± 0.46 x10³cfu/g while uselu has the lowest count of 1.20 ± 0.31 x 10³cfu/g. The antibiotics resistance pattern of test isolates were evaluated and interpreted following guidelines described by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). The Klebsiella isolates were resistant to ceftazidime (100%), Gentamicin (100%), Cefuroxime(68%), Cefixime (73 %), Augumentin (88%), Nitrofurantoin (86%).  However, they were sensitive to Ofloxacin (96%) and ciprofloxacin (98.75%). This investigation is of public health significance as it supports antibiotics stewardship effort by providing information for appropriate antibiotic use to minimize the spread of antibiotics resistance. The organism is a possible agent of food borne infection. It is therefore recommended that adequate cleaning and precaution be taken of such food product.