Z.I. Aliyu1*, K.H. Ahmad 2, B.R. Gandi 1, K.Y. Kaboshio 1, J. Yayi 1, J. Ibrahim 1

1Department of Animal Science, Kaduna State University, Kaduna State, Nigeria
2Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

(Manuscript received 19 January 2025; accepted for publication 27 March 2025)

Abstract. Meat and meat products are constantly threatened by pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can lead to foodborne diseases and significant economic losses. In order to address this issue, this research aimed to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria and their antibiograms from various meat products sold within Kafanchan metropolis. A total of nine ready-to-eat meat samples were aseptically collected, including “balangu, kilishi, and tsire” samples from each of Kafanchan ward A, Maigizo, and Takau wards, respectively. These samples were processed according to standard microbiological methods for bacterial isolation and identification. Five different bacteria were isolated and identified in the study, including Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococci aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Kilishi sample had the highest rate of contamination, with 3 out of 5 (60%) of the total bacteria identified compared to the other meat samples. Furthermore, all the bacteria identified in this study were found to be resistant to all the antibiotics tested. The bacteria isolated from the tsire sample in Takau ward exhibited the highest antibiotic resistance, with a 0.9% Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR) index. On the other hand, bacteria from Kilishi samples had the lowest MDR index value of 0.3%. In light of these findings, it is imperative that regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, take proactive measures to ensure the safety of food products for consumption. This includes monitoring and regulating the appropriate use of antibiotics at recommended rates, as well as enforcing accurate drug withdrawal periods during the treatment of animals before slaughter.