Antibiogram of Bacteria Isolated in Raw Milk Sold in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

The antibiogram profile of bacteria isolated from raw milk source in Makurdi, Benue State. Samples were collected in six different areas where raw milk are sold and were analyzed. The most frequently identified bacterium was Escherichia coli, which constituted 72(32.4%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 42(18.92%), Salmonella species were the third most common, representing 30(13.51%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus species both had 16(7.21%), Bacillus species 20(9.91%), and Streptococcus species 20(9.01%). The antibiogram results revealed that all isolated bacteria showed significant sensitivity to Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin. These findings highlight the need for government support for local milk producers to obtain resources and establish collection centers with adequate pasteurization facilities, thereby reducing the risks linked to the consumption of contaminated milk products. It is crucial that milk is pasteurized immediately after collection to lower bacterial loads, especially pathogenic strains. Further research is essential to devise effective strategies to tackle the issues Arelated to unpasteurized milk.