Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on Meat-Contact Surfaces and Hands of Meat Sellers: A Public Health Concern in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) on food and food-contact surfaces pose a global public health risk in the supply chain. This study assessed the antibiogram of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus recovered from meat contact surfaces in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. Forty-five swab samples were collected from table surfaces, palms, and knives in meat retail outlets across four locations: Wednesday Market, Hayin Gada, Abuja Road, and the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) Takeoff Site Market. Bacterial counts were performed on nutrient agar, and the isolates were identified by Gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were assessed using the agar disk diffusion method, and isolates resistant to ≥ 3 classes of antibiotics were considered multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The highest mean bacterial counts were 1.14×10⁵ CFU/mL on tables (Wednesday Market), 1.33×10⁴ CFU/mL on palms (Darawa), and 1.38×10⁴ CFU/mL on knives (FUDMA Market). Among the 77 isolates recovered, S. aureus (55.8%) and E. coli (44.2%) were predominant. All E. coli isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and septrin (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), but were susceptible to augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) (61.8%) and ciprofloxacin (88.2%). S. aureus exhibited resistance (100%) to zinnacef but was susceptible to gentamicin (46.5%) and ciprofloxacin (48.8%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains accounted for 59.7% of isolates, with S. aureus (58.1%) and E. coli (61.8%). This study highlights the prevalence of MDR E. coli and S. aureus on meat contact surfaces, posing a public health threat to the food supply chain. Routine ARB surveillance of local food markets is urgently needed in the study locality.