Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Microbes Isolated from Vegetables Served and Eaten Raw in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Background: Raw vegetables are an essential part of the Ghanaian diet but can pose health risks due to microbial contamination. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in raw vegetables and analyse their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. Methods: A total of 43 vegetable samples were collected from farms, markets, and street vendors. Bacteria were isolated and identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: The study isolated 69 bacterial strains, with Salmonella spp. (37.7%) and Citrobacter freundii (31.9%) being the most prevalent. High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed, particularly in Salmonella spp., which showed 100% resistance to several antibiotics including ceftazidime, cefdinir, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: The high prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and their significant antimicrobial resistance in raw vegetables highlight a serious public health concern in the Wa Municipality. Improved food safety measures and antimicrobial stewardship are urgently needed to address this issue.