Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli in Environmental Samples from Abattoirs and Markets in Gwagwalada, Nigeria

This study investigates the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli in currencies samples from Gwagwalada, Nigeria, focusing on sources from the abattoir and modern market. E. coli was identified through standard microbiological methods. Of 90 samples collected, 42 (46.6%) tested positive for E. coli, with a detection rate of 40% from the abattoir and 55% from the modern market. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates: 83% of isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, 86.6% to penicillins (amoxicillin and Augmentin), and 85.7% to ciprofloxacin. However, susceptibility was higher for chloramphenicol and gentamycin (both 47.6%). Additionally, the bacterial load was highest on the N5 note (100%) and prevalent across all Naira denominations tested. These findings indicate a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli, particularly resistant to commonly used antibiotics, posing significant public health risks. The study emphasizes the need for improved hygiene in food handling, stricter regulation of antibiotic use, and enhanced surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in environmental sources to curb the spread of resistant pathogens.