Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Enteric Bacteria in Ready-to-Eat Abacha Vended at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed the microbiological quality, prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profile, and molecular identity of enteric bacterial isolates recovered from ready-to-eat Abacha vended at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Biology Laboratory, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, over a period of five weeks. Methodology: Thirty Abacha samples were collected from five vending locations within the university campus at a rate of five samples per week and analysed using standard microbiological methods. Total heterotrophic bacteria and coliform counts were determined, while enteric bacterial isolates were identified using conventional microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disc diffusion method, and multiple antibiotic resistance indices were calculated. Isolates showing high resistance to the antibiotics tested were further identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Total heterotrophic bacteria and coliform counts ranged from 6.036–6.047 and 5.95–5.97 log₁₀ colony-forming units/g, respectively, with no significant differences among sampling locations (THB: P = .05, TCC: P = .51). Escherichia coli was the most prevalent isolate (36.7%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (26.7%), Shigella spp. (20.0%), and Enterobacter spp. (16.7%). E. coli showed 81.8% resistance to both ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, while Shigella spp. showed 100% resistance to ofloxacin, gentamicin, penicillin, and Augmentin. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices ranged from 0.2–0.9. Molecular analysis confirmed the identities of the selected bacterial isolates based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Conclusion: The high bacterial loads and occurrence of enteric bacteria with substantial antimicrobial resistance indicate potential food safety concerns associated with ready-to-eat Abacha sold within the university environment. Molecular identification further supports the characterisation of the recovered bacterial isolates. Improved food hygiene practices and antimicrobial stewardship are recommended.