Molecular Identification and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Acinetobacter spp. Isolated from Retail Meat Samples in Chennai

Abstract

The foodborne diseases caused by ESKAPE pathogens are mainly linked to animal or plant-origin foods such as milk, meat, poultry and vegetables or instigated from the food-related environment. Among ESKAPE pathogens over the past ten years, Acinetobacter spp. has universally emerged as an exceedingly worrying nosocomial pathogen with foodborne implications. The present study was carried out to screen the meat sold in Chennai for the presence of Acinetobacter spp. and to elucidate antimicrobial resistance. A total of 300 meat samples comprising 75 each of chicken, mutton, beef and pork respectively were collected from retail meat outlets in Chennai and subjected to standard bacteriological methods. Eight isolates (2.67 %) were recovered and confirmed through biochemical tests and PCR targeting the genus-specific 16S rRNA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed 100% sensitivity to gatifloxacin and minocycline, with varying levels of susceptibility to other antibiotics. Further no active efflux pump activity was detected by the ethidium bromide cartwheel method. The findings of this study underscore the potential of meat as an important medium for this opportunistic pathogen. This study underscores the need to monitor antimicrobial resistance in foodborne Acinetobacter spp. and to enforce improved hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship across the food chain to reduce transmission risks to humans.