Molecular Characterization and Identification of Proteus mirabilis (Cucumis sativus) Isolated from Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Sold in Gusau Metropolis, Zamfara State Northwestern Nigeria

Proteus mirabilis is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the environment and is known for its role in human and animal infections. Occurrence of Proteus mirabilis in fresh farm produce, such as cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbage raises food safety concerns due to its potential in contamination and transmission. This study was designed to screen and characterize Proteus mirabilis isolated from cucumber sold in Gusau metropolis, Zamfara state, Northwestern, Nigeria. Different techniques such as DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), agarose gel electrophoresis, gene sequencing, and antibiotics susceptibility testing were employed in this study. The molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by using Zymo Research Quick-DNA bacteria/fungi miniprep kit. The bacterium identified was found to be Proteus mirabilis. The Antibiotics susceptibility of the isolate was determined using modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Amoxicillin and ampicillin exhibited resistance. However, the isolate showed high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and pefloxacin but showed a moderate sensitivity to gentamycin. Findings from this study clearly showed significant occurrence of Proteus mirabilis in cucumber sold in Gusau metropolis, Zamfara state with florouquinolones being the most active first line drugs tested against the bacterium.