Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Abattoir Effluents from Meat Market Abakaliki

Anyim, C.[1], Okonkwo[2a], E.C.,Ekuma[2b], U.O. Orji, J.O[2c]
Page no. 76-82

The poor state of most Nigerian abattoirs, meat processing plants, ineffective meat inspection
service and the resultant risk of consuming unwholesome meat have been issues of public health
and global environmental concerns. This study was designed to isolate Staphylococcus aureus from
abattoir effluents within Meat Market in Abakaliki Metropolis and also to ascertain their antibiotic
susceptibility pattern of the S. aureus isolated. 12 abattoir effluent samples (2 from each: cow
intestinal effluent, cow body effluent, goat intestinal effluent, goat body effluent, chicken intestinal
effluent and chicken body effluent) were collected and analyzed. 10 S. aureus were isolated from the
abattoir effluents. The S. aureus were most sensitive to ciprofloxacin (80.0%), followed by
ampicillin (60.0%), tetracycline (50.0%) and cefotaxime (30.0%), while chloramphenicol (0.0%)
showed the least. Chloramphenicol (100.0%) was found to be the most resistant, followed by
cefotaxime (70.0%), tetracycline (50.0%), ampicillin (40.0%), while ciprofloxacin (20.0%) showed
the least. Hence it is possible that abattoir effluent constitute a reservoir for distributing antibiotic
resistance into the community. Hence, there is therefore an urgent need to discourage the use
contaminated water for meat processing by butchers so as to safe guards the health of the populace.
Subsequently, there is need to put in place effluent treatment facilities to treat wastes from abattoirs
in Ebonyi State and also in Nigeria.
Keywords: Abattoir effluents, Staphylococcus aureus, Antibiotic susceptibility, Abakaliki