Microbial quality and phenotypic profile of extended spectrum Beta– lactamase producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Klebsiella</i> species contamination in dressed chicken meat in Maiduguri Metropolis, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to detect Extended-Spectrum β-lactams (ESBLs) producing E. coli and Klebsiella species in dressed chicken meat in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. A total of 384 samples were collected (chicken meat swab and intestinal contents) from two (Abbaganaram and Monday Markets) live bird markets (LBMs) in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and one (Tashan Bama) in Jere Local Government Area (LGA). Colony count, culture, isolation and determination of microbial quality of meat were performed based on standard bacteriological protocols. Biochemical tests were conducted to differentiate the isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Tashan Bama LBM had 6.4 x 10⁷ CFU/g dressed chicken meat contamination, while, E. coli and Klebsiella species had the highest number of isolates, 178 (46.4%) 28 (7.3%), respectively. The study also revealed 14 (93.3%) and 5 (71.4%) β-lactam antimicrobial resistant isolates due to E. coli and Klebsiella species, respectively. The phenotypic expression of multi_drug resistance (n=10) patterns of those isolates; further revealed the β-lactam producing E. coli and Klebsiella species in dressed chicken meat. Critical control points should be established to minimize contamination and the zoonotic risk of multi-drug resistance pathogens in chicken meat in Maiduguri.