ABSTRACT

The microbid quality and the prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae in retailed mayonnaise samples sold within Umuahia was investigated. . total of 10 samples were purchased from 10 different locations within Umuahia and were screened using microbiological standard methods. The Total Heterotrophic Plate ■ Count (THPC) ranged from 2.2x104 cfu/ml to 4.7x104 cfu/ml and the Total Coliform Plate Count (TCPC) in th s study ranged from 1.2x104 cfu/ml to 3.2xl04 cfu/ml with sample from Isi-gate having the highest count. The samples produced a total of 26 isolates with Escherichia coli being the mo >t frequently isolated bacteria from the mayonnaise samples (n=8), followed by Klebsiella sp n=6), Salmonella (n=5), Citrobacter (n=4) and Shigella being the least frequent isolates (n=3). All the isolates were tested for susceptibility against Cefuroxime, amoxicillin clavulanate, cefotaxime, imipenem, ofloxacin, gentamycin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, ceftriaxone snlbactarm, ampiclox, cefixime and levofloxacin. All the isolates showed high resistance agdnst Cefuroxime, Cefotaxime and Ampiclox and high susceptibility to Ofloxacin and Levofloxacin followed by Imipenem. A total of 6(46.15%) isolates tested positive to ESBL production. The isolates showed high frequency of resistance to ampiclox, frequently used cephalosporins such as cefexime, cefuroxime and cefotaxime and high presence of ESBLproducing En terobacteriaceae in the retailed mayonnaise samples. It can be concluded that retailed mayonnaise could harbours potential multi-drug resistance pathogen which is of high public health significance and the range of antibiotics for which resistance was acquired is large and sufficient y worrisome and shows the severity of the emergence of antibiotic resistance in different paths >gens.