ABSTRACT

 This study evaluated the antimicrobial resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolates from raw meat sold within Umuahia in Abia State. A total of 12 raw meat samples consisting of 3 each of beef, chevon, chicken, and pork were purchased from different meat sellers at Ahiaeke market, Isigate market and Orieugba market all in Abia state. 10g of the meat samples were collected into sterile bags and analyzed immediately on arrival at the Blessed Dashola-Oj Laboratory. The total viable bacterial counts evaluated in this study varied from one sample to the other. From the results obtained, the total colifonn plate count ranged from 3.60x I 0 4 cfu/g to 9.40x10cfu/g while the total Staphyloccocus plate count, ranged from 7.00x10cfu/g to 5.90x 10cfu/g. It was observed that Escherichia coli was the most frequently occurring bacterial isolates from the various raw meat samples with a percentage occurrence of (56.6%), while Staphylococcus aureus had the lower percentage occurrence of (44.4%). The antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reviewed that the isolates showed high resistance to Imipenem (66.7%), followed by Ceftrixone (55.6%), ·Cefotaxime (38.9%), Azithromycin (33.3%), whereas a very low resistance rate was recorded Lefofloxacin and Gentamicin (5.6%), The results of this study indicate the lack of unsatisfactory sanitary conditions and quality control during manufacturing and/or post production handling of the raw meats, and a possible health safety' problem. There should be restrictions on the irrational use of antibiotics and public awareness'activities should be undertaken to alert the public to the risks of the unnecessary use of antibiotics.