PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF FOODBORNE PATHOGENS IN READY TO EAT ROASTED PLANTAN IN AGBANI COMMUNITY, ENUGU STATE
Abstract
Foodborne pathogens are a significant public health concern, and their presence on ready-to-eat foods presents a potential risk for consumers. This study investigates the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of foodborne pathogens found on ready-to-eat roasted plantain, accompanying sauce: a mixture with beans and side vegetables (utazi0 from two different areas in Agbani, Enugu state. Additionally, a laboratory-controlled roasted plantain sample and side vegetables were used for comparison. Samples were collected from two distinct areas, and microbial analysis was performed to identify the presence of common foodborne pathogens and characterize them using standard methods. The susceptibility of the identified pathogens to various antimicrobial agents was tested using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results revealed the presence of several pathogenic organisms, with notable differences in prevalence between the two areas and the control sample. The most prevalent isolate is Klebsiella pneumoniae 7(20.6%) followed by Proteus species 5(14.7), staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella species appeared at the frequency of 4(11.8%) while Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurred at the frequency 3(8.8%). The study also identified varying levels of antimicrobial resistance among the isolated pathogens, indicating potential challenges in treatment. The results from this study suggest the use of azithromycin for the treatment of foodborne illnesses as a result of Gram negative pathogens. Levofloxacin and gentamicins showed gross 100% sensitivity to Gam positive isolate and there are recommended as drugs of choice. The findings underscore the importance of proper food handling practices and the need for continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance patterns in foodborne pathogens. This research contributes to the understanding of food safety risks associated with ready-to-eat foods and highlights the need for stringent public health measures.
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