ABSTRACT
Escherichia coli is a worldwide zoonotic pathogens responsible for the majority of severe cases of human enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of Eschericha coli in meat sold in some markets in Benin Metropolis. A total of 24 samples were collected from markets. The samples were immersed, mixed and incubated in peptone water, followed by plating onto Eosin Methylene Blue Agar plates. Consequently, the colonies were formed as Escherichia coli biochemically using catalase test, citrate utilization test, Urease test, Indole test and Methyl Red test. Out of 24 samples collected, there was an overall prevalence of 95.83%. Results of the investigation also shows that Escherichia coli were present in almost all the raw meat sampled in this study. Result of the total heterotrophic count shows that Oba market had the highest average count of 4.881.28×103 Cfu/g while Okha market had the lowest average count of 4.161.31×103 Cfu/g. Result of the total Escherichia coli on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar shows that Santana market had the highest count of 2.270.56×104 Cfu/g, while Okha market had the lowest count of 1.920.52×104 Cfu/g. Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative Bacteria, whereby the various Biochemical tests results came out as: Catalase Test which was Positive (+), Citrate Utilization Test which was Negative (-), Urease Test which was Negative (-), Indole Test which was Positive (+) and Methyl Red Test which was Positive (+), Escherichia coli possess the following cultural characteristics, a Green Metallic Sheen colour, circular in shape, convex in elevation, 2-3mm in size, appears smooth on the surface and opaque in structure. Eight different antibiogram which includes, Ceftazidime, Cefuroxime, Gentamycin, Cefixime, Ofloxacin, Augmentin, Nitrofurantoin, and Ciprofloxacin were used for antibiotic susceptibillity test. Resistance to Ceftazidime 100%, Cefuroxime 100%, and Augmentin 100% was noted in all isolates and moderate resistance to Gentamycin 27%, Cefixime 54%, Ofloxacin 2% and Nitrofurantoin 87% was also noted in isolates. No isolated Escherichia coli strain resistance noted to Ciprofloxacin. This study concludes that the occurrence of Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli multiple resistance profiles in raw meat sold in some markets in Benin metropolis and this may show a risk for public health and food safety. Regulatory control of antibiotics usage in livestock production, meat hygiene and pharmaco-epdiemiological surveillance im food animals is hereby recommended to ensure consumer safety.
