Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus from Cattle Meat in Adigrat Municipal Abattoir, Tigray, Ethiopia

Foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus are major contributors to foodborne illnesses worldwide, with contaminated meat serving as a key transmission route. The rising challenge of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens threatens public health by reducing treatment options and increasing infection risks. This cross-sectional study assessed the detection and drug resistance profiles of these bacteria in raw red meat from cattle slaughtered at Adigrat municipal abattoir, Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 40 meat samples were aseptically collected during Orthodox Christian holidays and analyzed using standard bacteriological culture, staining, and biochemical tests, while antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against ten commonly used antibiotics. The findings revealed high levels of contamination, with E. coli detected in 65% of samples, S. aureus in 55%, and Salmonella spp. in 47.5%. All isolates showed complete susceptibility to Chloramphenicol and most were susceptible to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin; however, both E. coli and Salmonella exhibited 100% resistance to Vancomycin and 80% resistance to Erythromycin, while multidrug resistance was also observed against Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Nalidixic acid. These results highlight significant contamination and alarming resistance patterns, suggesting poor hygiene practices in the abattoir and unregulated antibiotic use in livestock. The study underscores the urgent need for stricter hygiene measures in meat processing, prudent antibiotic stewardship, and adoption of a One Health approach integrating veterinary, public health, and environmental sectors. Continuous surveillance of bacterial contamination and resistance trends is essential to safeguard food safety and inform evidence-based policy in Ethiopia and similar settings.