ABSTRACT

 This study evaluated the antimicrobial resistance profile ofStaphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolates from raw meat sold within Umuahia in Abia State. A total of 12 raw meat samples consisting of3 each ofbeef, chevon, chicken, and pork were purchased from different meat sellers at Ahiaeke market. Isigate market and Orieugba market all in Abia state. 1 Og ofthe meat samples were collected into sterile bags and analyzed immediately on arrival at the Blessed Dashola-Oj Laboratory. The total viable bacterial counts evaluated in this study varied from one sample to the other. From the results obtained, the total coliform plate count ranged from 3.60x104cfu/g to 9.40x1 OWu/g while the total Staphyloccocus plate count ranged from 7.00x104cfu/g to 5.90x10:'cfu/g. It was observed that Escherichia coli was the most frequently occurring bacterial isolates from the various raw meat samples with a percentage occurrence of (56.6%), while Staphylococcus aureus had the lower percentage occurrence of(44.4%). The antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reviewed that the isolates showed high resistance to Imipenem (66.7%), followed by Ceftrixone (55.6%), Cefotaxime (38.9%), Azithromycin (33.3%), whereas a very low resistance rate was recorded Lefofloxacin and Gentamicin (5.6%), The results ofthis study indicate the lack of unsatisfactory sanitary conditions and quality control during manufacturing and/or post production handling of the raw meats, and a possible health safety problem. There should be restrictions on the irrational use of antibiotics and public awareness activities should be undertaken to alert the public to the risks ofthe unnecessary use of antibiotics.